Background
Years ago I met a man who had just retired and was about to go to University to study History, a subject he loved and something he had always wanted to do. I remember thinking how wonderful to have the time to follow a passion. I carried this memory with me for 20 years, and it inspired me eventually to return to art.
I started by joining my local village art group, and then progressed to taking classes with some talented local artists.
Having been persuaded not to go to Art College as a teenager I always felt I had missed out, so in 2019 I joined the Diploma course at Anteros Arts Foundation in Norwich. The course enabled me to try many new subjects and media; it broadened my experience, and helped me to choose where I want to focus.
I am very proud and grateful to have met some wonderful tutors along the way: Trevor Osborne, Sally Hirst, Laina West, Annie Brundrit, Liz Monahan, Sarah Beare, Martin Laurance, Katarzyna Coleman and, more recently, Anita Reynolds. I continue to learn every day.
Now I work from my own studio, which I absolutely love, and I exhibit in a number of galleries around East Anglia.
I am a member of Suffolk Art Society, Norfolk & Norwich Art Circle (NNAC), Inspired by Becker Art Society (IBBAS), and Suffolk Open Studios.
Please contact me if you wish to visit, make a purchase or enquire about a commission, and thank you for looking.
Process
Observational and life drawing have improved my drawing skills immensely and I have used this to inform my paintings. Having put down a good drawing as a basis, I like to use a combination of bold marks and an enhanced colour palette to create an expressive painting.
I am inspired by techniques used in photography to create interesting compositions by cropping subjects and using lighting. Some of my paintings have been created from collaborations with friends who take great photographs.
More recently I have been enjoying portraiture using oils and pastels, and working to loosen up my style. Working from dramatically lit photographs as reference, I have been creating a series of portraits of people who inspire me.