Sometimes when it feels like things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place.
This is exactly the case for Holly Smith, 34, from Surrey, when she lost her job two years ago.
Being made redundant came as a "huge shock" for her and she didn't know where to turn - so she picked up a paintbrush and began to paint.
Creating beautiful portraits of dogs became her niche, and now she is a full-time painter and business owner.
"When it first happened, it felt like the end of the world," Holly told The Mirror. "But it was the best thing that ever happened to me."
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At the beginning of 2020, Holly was working as a general manager for a small independent bakery business in Surrey.
She had been there six years and couldn't believe it when they told her she had to pack up her bags and leave.
Holly panicked about struggling to pay the bills and finding another job during such a difficult time, but she was determined to find a silver lining.
Holly painted a portrait of her parent's dog, an Italian spinone named Bailey, and shared the image online.
Straight after, a few friends requested their own pet paintings and soon the rest became history.
"I realised there was a market for it and I sold my first painting in March 2021," Holly said.
She named her business Holly & Murphy, after her special five-year-old cocker spaniel, Murphy.
"My first year has been overwhelming and the best part is getting to do it all with my best friend," she said.
Holly is often her most creative when she's floating on water, and together the duo set sail in her boat.
"Murphy loves being on the boat and I do a lot of paintings there," she explained. "It's a bit of a gift. There is such a joy in being able to work anywhere."
Holly combines watercolour paints and pencils to bring dogs' faces to life.
She says a small painting can take two to three days to complete, and customers love how she captures their pet's personality in such detail.
"I've always wanted to run my own business and do something creative. Lockdown gave me the time to put my all into it," Holly said.
"I never imagined it could fund my living and I'm so grateful to have a job that I love."
Her portraits start at £295 and can cost up to £595, meaning she is able to paint full-time.
Some of the most memorable paintings she has been asked to do are of dogs that have passed away, and she'll often paint them beside new family pets.
"Someone asked me to paint their mum's dog growing up, their dad's dog growing up and their own. It was a nice keepsake," Holly said.
If you would like to commission a painting from Holly, you can find Holly & Murphy on her website and Instagram.
Do you have a dog story to sell? Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
