About Jasmine Frater (Jei-Art) I was eight years old I sold my first set of portraits for £5. This was a substantial amount in 1984. They were felt tip drawings on 130 mg cartridge paper. The Mother & Child iconic image is an A2 soft pastel portrait. Drawn in 1994, it is currently hanging in my parents home. It is iconic, as it depicts a mother with one child, 16 years before I had my only child. In 2006 I began my first Art classes for adults and my very first signee was Dr Frank a retired doctor and I later learnt, my History teachers father in law. Dr Frank was living with a Parkinson's like condition as well as severe asthma. Upon entering my rented studio, Dr Frank's shakes and breathing were profuse. However, when his paintbrush touched the canvas, his breathing calmed and shakes abated. This happened every week for 6 weeks during our Acrylic and watercolour course. Dr Frank painted a portrait of my late grandmother and during the end of course exhibition I organised, she was wheeled into the makeshift gallery space, met with Dr Frank and view her first painted, framed portrait. It was this miraculous and inspiring experience that has driven me to work with Parkinson's UK in Wales and people with disabilities today.
Recently, I have experienced my own personal paradigm shift in my career, moving from qualified teacher and TEFL advanced Tutor to Creative Practitioner.
Now I can do my hobby - full time. My goal is to create an Art Retreat in West Wales, called: Perpetual Peace or Chang’An in Traditional Chinese. In Japanese, this translates into Perpetual Peace. Watch this space…
Background music: Musica China, Taiwan