Megan Welton is a painter based in Norwich. Her work focuses on the natural world around her and local wildlife. Using her family history as inspiration to create individual personalities in each piece, she aims to capture the soul of the person behind each character. Megan spent her childhood growing up in the Cambridgeshire countryside, with a strong love of animals, the outdoors and fascination with picture books- which naturally led her to begin drawing from a young age. Self taught in her early life, she went on to study Illustration at Norwich University of the Arts in 2016 and graduated with a Bachelors degree with Honors in 2019.
Megan was diagnosed with a rare brain disorder called Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) during her final year at University, a condition that affects only 1 inn 100,000 people. The condition causes increased pressure inside the skull for an unknown reason, which causes severe headaches and visual loss.
As her IIH gradually worsened and cause long-term vision loss, pencil drawing became physically challenging for her. To adapt to her newly diagnosed condition, Megan worked with the low vision clinic at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and started using acrylic paint to create textured layers, which replaced her traditional pencil drawings. Using two magnifiers and a sight impairment lamp, she learned to replicate her mark-making on canvas. By using a dark background with bright pain contrast, Megan found it easier to see, and this became her new method of working.
Megan relocated to Norwich to take on painting full-time after meeting her fiancé, Medical photographer Ryan, at the NNUH eye clinic during a routine eye appointment.
After her case of IIH became noticeably complicated, medical interest in Megan’s case grew, and she began to take part in medical research for the condition. During a brain operation to fit a ICP bolt in December 2021, she donated a sample of brain tissue to the Neuroscience department at Addenbrooke’s Hospital Cambridge; to study as part of their research into neurological conditions involving Cerebrospinal Fluid. In January 2022, she took part in a project at Moorfields Eye Hospital London, which used electrophysiology tests to collect research on inherited diseases of the optic nerve.
Megan had further brain surgery in June 2022 to fit a Ventriculoperitoneal shunt, a permanent device to manage her brain pressure and preserve her remaining vision. Before the surgery, Megan was introduced to Headway Norfolk and Waveney by a friend and was supported in the lead-up to her VP shunt surgery.
“After being diagnosed with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension in 2018 (IIH- a chronic neurological condition effecting the brain ) and a 4-year battle living with pressure on the brain, I was introduced to headway by a friend of mine who thought the charity might be able to offer some advice on the lead up to having my shunt fitted at Addenbrookes.
At first, I didn’t know what to think - the thought of brain surgery overwhelmed me, but I was at risk of losing my sight after already losing my peripheral vision, and I knew that wasn’t an option; I had to fight my body and not let the condition beat me.
I decided to take a step into accepting my surgery by making contact with Headway- after that I never looked back, I finally felt like someone understood what I was going through."
"Before my shunt was fitted, I was able to talk to headway about my worries and fears on brain surgery and felt supported throughout my journey into my new life with a shunt. Having Headway there for me gave me hope.”
Megan sells her painting in local craft shops and is a part of the Anteros Arts Foundation Gallery Shop in Norwich. By 2022, Megan began to expand her work across Norfolk, becoming a member of Gallery Ten, and joining the artist collective in Harrods of Hingham. In October 2022, Megan took part in Norfolk Open Studios as a solo artist- leading a live painting demonstration, showcasing how she paints in line with her visual impairment.
In January 2023, Megan was made a Healthcare assistant at the NNUH and is hoping to work in the Neuroscience sector to help others and to be part of the change in the future development of treatments.
Megan also donated 2 pieces for our Charity Art Exhibition at the Forum.
To view examples of Megan’s paintings or find out more about commissioned pieces, visit: @meganwelton_illustration on Instagram.
Charity Art Exhibition
Find out more about our upcoming Charity Art Exhibition
