A mum-of-two who says she could barely draw a stickman before she was struck down with two brain tumours has unexpectedly developed a talent for painting.

Abigail Barry, from Herne Bay, had never painted before or had any interest, but one day got an urge to put brush to canvas, with astonishing results.

Eighteen months previously, she had been diagnosed with a second tumour on her brain and believes the phenomenon is linked.

“I seriously had never painted,” she said.

“It bored me, I thought it was far too monotonous. Let’s just say, whenever I played Pictionary at Christmas, no one ever got my answers right.

“I could draw a stickman, just.

“Then, about six months ago, I had the urge all of a sudden and now I’m totally obsessed with it.

“I zone out and can paint for six hours at a time, it’s all very odd.”

The 43-year-old, of Ravensbourne Avenue, was diagnosed with one pituitary brain tumour five years ago and more recently doctors found another mass on the stalk of the pituitary gland.

She says the tumours are not cancerous but cause extreme fatigue, headaches and memory loss, and her speech and sight have been affected, forcing her to give up work and her volunteering role at the RSPCA.

Now, however, due to her new-found love of painting, she spends her time creating colourful pieces, which she gives as presents to friends and family.

Ms Barry says her skill could be down to a rare medical phenomenon in which brain tumours or traumas are linked to creative ability.

“My neuropsychiatrist is actually looking into it right now,” she said.

“He said it’s very rare.”

Ms Barry admits she is the biggest critic of her work.

“I am utterly amazed whenever I paint something that I think is good,” she said.

“I see a lot of perspective issues with my work and other problems but others have said they find it charming with almost childlike fun.”

Ms Barry says painting helps her remain calm and believes it has been her lifesaver.

“It really makes me happy, it makes me feel useful, and as others seem to like my work, I love making them happy,” she said.

Ms Barry displays her art on her Abigail Barry Facebook page.