Duns’ post on Facebook led to the adoption of the film

An award-winning artist at Borders revealed how she only got inspired by her art after friends liked pictures she posted on social media.

Jennifer Charlton, from Duns, recently won the 2024 Scottish Portrait Awards.

He said that the support from his friends helped him through difficult times and forced him to take his pictures seriously.

His portrait of an outdoor swimmer – from a series about mental health – has now earned him the highest honor.

Jennifer recently obtained a first honors degree in art from Edinburgh College and Kingston University.

While the mother of three was juggling family responsibilities and multiple part-time jobs, she joined her studies in national awards.

“I feel so amazing,” he said.

“I’ve been lucky enough to be recognized for a number of awards, but this one, the Scottish Portrait Awards, I never thought I’d win.

“To be nominated was amazing, but to be awarded first place is even more amazing; I can’t believe it.”

And he revealed how his rise to award-winning artist was both accidental and kind.

“One day I couldn’t go to the gym so I took the dog for a walk,” he said.

“I took pictures of autumnal trees on my phone, posted them on Facebook, and I got an unexpected response, people saying they thought I had an eye for photography.

“Then my friend sent me money – I was going through the most difficult time of my life – and said ‘this is to install your first camera’.”

This is when he decided to start painting properly.

“So, I bought a camera and it’s her son John in the picture that won, so it looks like it’s all done,” Jennifer said.

“Without John’s mother, I wouldn’t be here.”

John’s winning photo shows Jennifer’s in-depth analysis of her mental health series, A Hidden Community.

He agreed to pose on a cold February morning to help Jennifer realize her vision, and some subjects took time to appear on the artist’s lens.

“It’s not an easy thing to do,” Jennifer said.

“There’s a risk to it, so I really admire all the people who worked with it.

“This job has brought me closer to people I know, and I’ve met some amazing people I didn’t know.

“And what was discovered is that anyone, in any situation, can be affected by mental illness.”

He continues this work now and is happy for anyone who wants to work with him to get in touch.

Jennifer’s love of sport means she’s a regular at the track, photographing cyclists, and is a regular at boxing in the UK.

She has worked with internationals Josh Taylor from East Lothian and Lewis Ritson from Newcastle, but admits it is a tough place for a woman.

“The professional artists are men, and they have been happy with me, they have been very supportive, but the brutality of the crowd is amazing,” she admitted.

“It’s clear they don’t believe a woman should take pictures – very sad.

“I love the sport, I know the boxers, and what they go through, but, yes, it’s difficult to work in the world of the same people.”

They now hope that the award will bring more commissions and paid services.

“There is a lot of competition in photography, but I love what I do and this has given me new confidence,” he said.

“I want to do more work in charities, and my long-term goal is to make this work big enough to show off.”