A Channel 4 presenter famed for her skill of breathing new life into old furniture pieces has told the ECHO how a family tragedy sparked her passion for creativity.
Gemma Longworth, 38, is from Anfield and has appeared on Channel 4 daytime restoration show Find It, Fix It, Flog It for a number of years.
However, it was a family tragedy that sparked her love for art. Gemma's little brother Sean died in a car accident when he was eight and Gemma was 11.
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She told the ECHO: "He was the artist. He used to draw with my granddad, that was his thing. I wasn't great with words so drawing became my way to remember him.
"I used to draw and paint and do anything creative. I felt like I was reliving his memory in a way. It just became a passion - I wasn't necessarily brilliant at it but I loved it."
Gemma graduated from university in 2008 and started her career with a residency at Alder Hey Children's Hospital. In 2012, she created art therapy book I Need Help which drew on her own experience with bereavement.
She has since gone on to start her own workshop and eventually moved into television.
Gemma said she sees "so many benefits" from art and added: "It's been a journey of doing different things and trying all different art mediums. I just find so many rewards in it.
"I try to say I'm turning a negative into a positive no matter what I'm doing; whether it's a negative emotion or a boring beige wall I'm trying to turn pink. Or a piece of furniture that was ready for the tip."
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