Close to burnout, foster carer Liz Hatwell-Evans rekindled her passion for art, discovering drawing was the perfect “me time” activity – sometimes even in the middle of the night between baby feeds.

Liz’s father was an artist, and that family passion led her to pursue a teaching degree majoring in fine art.

Life took her down a different career path supporting vulnerable people, but about 15 years ago, with five foster children under three years old, she took up pencil art as a means of relaxing with “no mess to clean up”.

“It became my therapeutic outlet and something I did to de-stress,” she says.

“I feel so relaxed, and then when I’m finished I feel a real sense of achievement. I don’t often finish things in life – I’m the world’s greatest procrastinator. So when I do, it’s an amazing sense of accomplishment.”

Liz, who over the past 20 years has cared for about 60 children, recently designed the artwork for a thank you card to carers from Premier Peter Malinauskas, Minister for Child Protection Katrine Hildyard and Department for Child Protection Chief Executive Jackie Bray.

The artwork for the card, marking Foster and Kinship Carer Week, features a family standing beneath a tree. The tree’s roots symbolise the foundation carers provide for a strong care network.

Liz, supported by agency ac.care, now has two young adults in post care programs, along with a 14-year-old and eight-year-old in the Fleurieu Peninsula home she shares with husband Trevor.

“The kids come and stand by my side while I’m doing the work and they might start drawing as well, and on a rainy day we’ll have a Sunday drawing session,” she says.

“Art therapy for kids who have experienced trauma is an amazing outlet.”

Liz encourages other carers to look to their local community centres or art galleries if they’d like to try the activity, with many offering sessions to support novices.

About 20 events are planned across the state for Foster and Kinship Carer Week.

See Liz’s work on Instagram @lizpencilartist.