This primary school teacher was inspired by a murder to become an artist

Ten years ago, Margo McDaid made a life-altering decision to leave her position as a primary school teacher after the tragic murder of one of her pupils. This event prompted her to reevaluate her life, leading her to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an artist.

Relocating from inner-city London to the Kent coast, McDaid committed to creating at least one painting every day. Under the name "Margo in Margate," she has since sold over 16,000 vibrant and celebratory artworks, with a strong focus on empowering women.

Drew Barrymore is among her celebrity admirers, and McDaid's pieces are featured weekly on Celebrity Gogglebox. Her art has even found a place in the players' lounge at Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club.

Despite previously selling her work for a maximum of £250, McDaid is set to change that this week as she opens a solo show at Helm Gallery in Brighton.

Reflecting on her transformative journey, McDaid shared the pivotal moment in 2006 when the trauma of a student's murder led her to reassess her life. The tragic event left her emotionally shattered, but art played a crucial role in her recovery.

Returning to her passion for drawing, McDaid started creating small pictures at a desk in her bedroom. In 2013, she committed to producing one painting daily, leading to a transformative and addictive artistic journey.

The impact of her work expanded when she opened a pop-up shop in Margate in 2016, and the Turner Contemporary art gallery began selling her pieces. Local independent stores also embraced her art, with many displaying and selling her work.

Now, as she prepares for her solo exhibition in Brighton featuring 126 paintings of women, McDaid reflects on her achievements with pride. Her art, born from a place of love and self-belief, has not only garnered success but also provided strength and inspiration to others.

Emotional in the face of her accomplishments, McDaid, also a mother of two boys, stands in the gallery, marveling at her work. With a portable painting kit in hand, she can't help but continue creating, reinforcing her genuine love for the art that has become an integral part of her life.