Maggie Deall is not your typical artist. Based in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Maggie's days are now filled with a haven of colour and artistic expression. But her journey to this point has been anything but ordinary.

For the past two decades, Maggie has dedicated her life to public service as a sergeant in the NSW police force, where she supervised a team of officers and often found herself as a first responder. It was a demanding career that took its toll with Maggie facing the challenges of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

When her psychologist suggested art therapy, Maggie had no idea her career was about to take a remarkable turn. 

Maggie opened The Little Yellow House - Gallery and Studio in 2021. 

After working in a male-dominated industry, Maggie yearned to create a safe space, not just for herself but for other women as well. She envisioned a gallery and studio space that would foster a vibrant community of creative women, providing them with a platform to share their artistic visions with the wider community.

In this episode, we sit down with Maggie in her own studio, surrounded by the very art that helped her heal and flourish. We delve into her experiences with art therapy, the transferable skills from law enforcement to business owner, and so much more.

TIMESTAMPS

00:03  From Police Officer to Artist: Maggie's Journey of Healing and Creativity

04:01  From Police Officer to Successful Artist: A Journey of Renewal

07:36  Transferable Skills from Police Force to Business Ownership and Artistry

11:12  Creating a Safe and Supportive Community for Women Artists

19:07  Supporting Women Artists: Giving Them a Platform

25:44  A Tale of Unexpected Growth and Organisation

29:27  The Struggles and Successes of a Regional Art Business

33:54  The Importance of Self-Care for Business Owners

37:11  The Importance of Taking Time Off and Recognising Your Own Worth

41:20  Discover the Creative Community of Wagga Wagga

45:48  Taking Risks and Celebrating Women's Voices

ABOUT OAK MAGAZINE

This episode was hosted by Kimberley Furness, founder + editor of OAK Magazine. We are a proudly independent media publisher dedicated to sharing stories and amplifying voices of female change makers and women in business in regional and rural Australia. OAK is an award winning community ecosystem of print, digital, audio and events. We have demonstrated outstanding quality, innovation and impact through our print magazine, podcasts and audio version of OAK Magazine. OAK is where you will find in-depth chats and courageous conversations with women in business from regional and rural Australia.

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For more inspiring stories, visit OAK Magazine website. Hosted by Kimberley Furness, Founder + Editor, OAK Magazine.