About Me
Born in London, I've been 'arting around' for as long as I can remember. My mum and I moved to Newcastle-upon-Tyne when I was 8 - I loved the freedom to roam the countryside with the next-door neighbour's dog, and be in nature. At school, I was often top of the class for art and took my O level - receiving an A grade.
I went on to do A Level art and art history, a foundation course in art and design...and then for some reason, went into Advertising! After being made redundant, I moved to the East Midlands to work with horses. There, I got married, started a family, studied Homeopathy (alternative medicine), and took commissions for pencil portraits and other artworks.
I eventually went to University as a mature student in 2003 and studied Design Management for the Creative Industries at Nottingham Trent University. After graduating, I set up my own little design business but then had the chance to rice-farm in South America for a year! On my return, I really needed a solid income and got into Internal Communications. 14 years and two burn-outs later, I've decided to go back to my first love - art.
More recently, I've been experimenting with 'flow art', which is a big shift from the realism of my portraiture work. It's powerfully therapeutic, helping me to go with the flow and not hold on to any particular outcome. Others that come and paint with me also say they find it deeply enjoyable and relaxing.
For me, creating art can be meditative, an adventure, and a way to connect more deeply with myself. It fills my soul to share my joy and love of art with others.