From an early age, Louise Allen was adopted into a family who from the beginning said they didn’t want her. Louise absolutely believes, that like smiling, 'being creative' helps us feel grounded and happy.
Louise has made art all her life. I have an innate and human need to make, to experiment and see what happens. I draw a lot, it grounds me and makes me look, really look. A documentary was recently made about her life 'It started here'. Her first book Thrown Away Child reveals the abuse and neglect she and a fellow adopted child suffered at the hands of their adopted mother Barbara. Ten years ago, Louise and her family became a fostering family. They have looked after over twenty children, some have stayed long term.