A mum from Bromley is helping women to commemorate a “proud” time in their lives by painting pictures for new mums using their breast milk.

Debbie Towers, 46, started off her business and hobby by using resin to make jewellery and artwork out of ashes or breast milk for those looking for commemorative keepsakes.

When the market for the jewellery became “flooded”, she decided she wanted to do something different – and instead begun using breast milk to paint with.

Debbie, who lives in Anerley, used to work for the Metropolitan Police as a community support officer and has also worked for the NHS as a phlebotomist – but prefers to be her own boss and delve into what she really loves doing.

She enjoys painting nudes as she wants women to learn to love themselves inside and out, as well as encouraging mums to feel proud of their challenging breastfeeding journeys.

Mum-of-two Debbie told the News Shopper: “I don’t like doing things that other people are doing so I decided to paint with breast milk as nobody else is doing that.

“I first started painting in lockdown when my dog passed away as it became a good therapy for me.

“I then wondered if I could preserve breast milk and paint with that to sell to mums.

News Shopper:

“It’s different and unique – it will be with these mums forever.

“Also, only they know its painted with breast milk unless they choose to tell people which is special.”

Debbie asks mums to send her their breast milk and she then preserves it until it dries out.

She crushes the milk into a fine powder and mixes it with a medium and paint.

News Shopper:

Sold for anything from £250 to £550, Debbie has had her first two commissions just recently.

She said: “I still do my memorial jewellery and art out of ashes but I’ve had to let my breast milk resin jewellery and artwork go to make time for the breast milk nude painting.

“Also, resin is just plastic and this painting lasts forever.

“I’m just starting out with it and really hoping for the best, but I’m doing what I like doing.

“Each picture sends out a message to be positive, to love yourself and to stay strong.

News Shopper:

“I had eating disorders as a child so for me to paint women now and encourage them to love their bodies is important.”

Debbie markets her paintings on Instagram at @thebreastmilk_artist.

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