I recently became a member of the UK Wedding Association, and as part of promoting high standards, they ask all suppliers to have a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) statement. Their request really made me stop and think.
I have always believed in a world where everyone is treated with respect, no matter their background, beliefs, or appearance. But until that moment, I hadn’t formally put those values into words, until now.
In this blog, I am sharing my DEI statement along with paintings and projects I have created over the years with a wonderfully diverse range of people, who have genuinely inspired me and enriched my life
That same week I signed up to the Wedding Association, I attended a diversity masterclass with Anna Langley, followed by a one to one zoom with Anna, resulting in fascinating insights and advice. I realised this isn’t just a box ticking exercise, it is something I genuinely care about and want to actively express in my art and my business.
Left: A joyful moment between the flower girl and her brother, celebrating the big day. Right: A librarian from The Arc, Winchester with her favourite quote by Oscar Wilde.
I believe we are all equal and as this is obvious to me, I sometimes forget it isn’t the reality for everyone, as the next story clearly demonstrates.
Recently, a member of staff at a wedding and events venue told me that at her previous workplace, they refused to allow same-sex couples to marry on their property. Their way of getting around this blatant discrimination?
“They would simply tell same-sex couples that the requested date wasn’t available.”
It is truly shocking that in this day and age, this is still happening in the UK – and elsewhere. Yes, we have made progress, but it is clear there is still more work to do. Keeping the conversation open is how we continue to move forward and create a fairer world for everyone.
The fantastic and emotional wedding of Sam and Karl at Firle Place, which I was fortunate enough to capture in paint. The message that day was clear: be your authentic self.
My Promise
Every event I paint is unique, because every person and every story is unique. Whether it is a wedding, celebration, or any kind of gathering, my goal is always the same: to capture the spirit of the day and make everyone I work with feel seen, respected, and valued.
In everything I do, I am committed to creating a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment, one where everyone feels comfortable to be themselves, free from prejudice or discrimination of any kind.
Who This Applies To
This commitment guides how I treat and interact with:
- The couples and clients who book me
- Guests and attendees at events
- The suppliers, contractors, and creative partners I collaborate with
- Any assistants or team members who help me on the day
My Values
I promise to treat everyone fairly and with kindness, no matter their:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender identity or expression
- Marital or civil partnership status
- Pregnancy or parental status
- Race, ethnicity, or colour
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
How I Put This Into Practice:
Inclusive communication
Representation matters
“Lucy was able to see my vision, as we had spoken about what I was looking for beforehand and had artistic license to work her magic. The end result is simply exquisite!!” – Kiran Parmar, groom
Accessibility and respect
Learning and growing
Inclusive teamwork
Right: Fit Fest 2015 organised by CAMHS. I facilitated creative workshops to promote the holistic well-being of young people.
Zero tolerance for discrimination
Keeping Myself Accountable
I am not perfect, and I don’t pretend to be, but I am always trying to do better and I am willing to learn. I welcome feedback from clients, collaborators, and the wider events community, and I shall review this commitment regularly to make sure it stays true to who I am and what I stand for.
These days I paint live at luxury weddings, events and celebrations, but earlier in my creative career, I would regularly go into the community and schools to run creative art projects and workshops, working with a diverse range of people.
Right: After I graduated from art school, I ran many community workshops and art projects in the community, often in deprived areas near Portsmouth.
My Vision
