An artist is hoping to raise awareness of mental health by painting and selling shoes and handbags all over the world.

Sarah Woods draws inspiration from her personal battles with depression, anxiety, self-harm, obsessive compulsive disorder and agoraphobia.

For the 33-year-old, it started with an eating disorder when she was just 17, but now she busies herself with customising unique shoes and bags from her home in Shortlands Road, Sittingbourne.

Miss Woods, who started her business four years ago, said: “I wasn’t working and was living at home with my mum. I had nowhere else to go.

“Then, I picked up a pair of shoes one day and thought I would have a play.

“Now, I am proud to say, I am standing on my own two feet and I ship my products all over the world. It’s crazy.”

Miss Woods created a new design three weeks ago, called Rainbow Black, which aims to reflect, respect and recognise people’s struggles with mental illness.

“I aimed simply to raise awareness and do a little something to speak out against the stigma of mental illness via my Facebook page, where all of my sales happen,” she said.

“I have a fabulous friendly following of around 16,500 people and the response to my new campaign has been incredible.”

Speaking out has seen others get in touch to show their support and tell their own stories.

“It’s music to my ears to hear I am helping others,” Miss Woods added. “Just because you have or are experiencing mental illness, you can stand tall and be proud of who you are.

“For years I battled and on one occasion I tried to take my own life, now I own my own business and live every day doing what makes me tick.”

Miss Woods will donate 5% of the profits to Together, a national mental health charity.

Rainbow Black bags are priced from £45 and shoes from £70.

For more information, search for Artist Sarah Woods on Facebook.