The Story Behind Carla's Tits

It all started with a laugh really.

Early one morning in March 2026, whilst undergoing treatment for breast cancer, I had an idea that made me laugh out loud.

What if I painted a collection of tits?

No, not that kind of tits – the feathered variety.

Blue tits, great tits, coal tits and long-tailed tits have always been some of my favourite garden birds. They are colourful, full of character and bring a little joy whenever they appear.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realised they could do something more important.

Breast cancer affects thousands of people every year, yet many of us still don't regularly check ourselves or pay attention to changes in our bodies. I know because I spent years worrying about breast cancer, and when my own diagnosis came in 2025, it changed my life forever.

I wanted to create something that encouraged awareness without fear.

Something that made people smile rather than switch off.

Something memorable.

So Carla's Tits was born.

What began as a light-hearted idea quickly became a collection with a purpose. Each painting became an opportunity to start conversations, raise awareness and gently remind people to take a moment to check themselves.

The collection also arrived at exactly the right time for me personally. During chemotherapy and radiotherapy, painting gave me purpose, focus and something positive to work towards. Creating these birds became a welcome distraction from appointments, side effects and uncertainty.

Alongside my Feathered Friends collection, Carla's Tits reminded me that creativity can be both healing and powerful.

Today, the collection continues to grow, with each bird helping to spread a simple message:

If seeing a tit makes you smile, perhaps it can also remind you to check your own.

Because awareness saves lives, and sometimes the most important conversations begin with a smile.