Every picture has a story, here’s mine.
About Folk and Dreams
I’m a self-taught artist from Derbyshire, who rekindled a love of art at the age of 35.
Prior to Folk and Dreams, I was a Primary School Teacher. For a decade, I adored working with children and helping them grow. However, like many of my peers, the juggling act of it all became impossible and dangerous to my health.
You just can’t pour from an empty cup.
Two beautifully energetic toddlers, two fur babies (meow) and a brilliant husband deserved more than I felt I could give. I would daydream guiltily about freezing time just to sit and drink a warm cup of tea. Bernad’s Watch would have been blooming brilliant. However, lacking the ability to freeze time, I found myself slowly ebbing away at my reserves. I withdrew. My mind, always full of colourful noise, became wordlessly blank. I was doing too much and I didn’t know how to stop.
Being a clueless but overly keen problem solver, I attempted the scatter gun approach of changing schools, dying my hair and trying to sell the house. But in the end, it was clear to me that I could no longer teach.
To find my health, I needed to find joy.
In December 2025, after 17 years of ‘focusing on important things’, I began to draw again. I instantly fell in love with digitally drawing on Procreate. At the time, I was increasingly reading fantasy escapism. Then one day I thoughts, what if I combine both drawing and fantasy stories?
I created an instagram account, @folkanddreams, to feel a sense of publish. What started posts of my digital art, grew into joining a community of like-minded artists.
Now, I’m delighted to announce that I am launching a shop full of fantasy kids clothes, folklore inspired women’s wear and gift items for all.
As you are an absolute legend, and have patiently read to the end, I would love for you to be the first to know about my shop launch. Please, drop your email below and join my newsletter.
I promise I’ll message you if I find Bernad’s watch.
Folk and Dreams is my place to escape reality and delve into a dreamlike world of folk tales.
Hello, I’m Laura and I love to draw whimsical fairytales like mermaids and dragons.
As a mum, all my drawings are child friendly because fantasy stories are for everyone. I hope they encourage both adults and children to explore our oldest legends, and enjoy our traditional cautionary tales.
Each artwork is based on English folklore. You can read my versions, alongside my drawings, on the Artwork page.
If you are interested in me as an artist, read on!
- Coming Soon -
Organic clothing & gifts, all designed and printed in Derbyshire, UK
