About Me

Artist Statement

I’m a contemporary British artist based in Tiverton, Devon working daily from my home studio. I work intuitively, creating abstract paintings influenced by the motifs in my dreams, my personal journey of connections and separations as well as a deep love of being with ancient trees and by the sea. 

My aim is to bridge the gap between my past and present, weaving it all together to reveal a new visual narrative combining my louder and quieter self. With each brushstroke, layer of colour and texture my aim is to create space for a new language of expression, speaking my truth about the complexities of identity, belonging and resilience.

I’ve spent most of my life squeezing in making art alongside everything else including teaching, leading teams in the Civil Service, consultancy and until early 2024 running my gardening business. Two years ago, I finally let go of all my other work distractions and excuses and became a full-time artist, the only thing I’ve ever really wanted to do. 

I'm self-taught, learning from studying art history, visiting exhibitions and galleries and engaging in workshops, courses and artist networking opportunities.  I enjoy sketching every day as well working on panels and stretched canvas. Lately I've been creating some very large abstract pieces and also refining a new set of cards which will be available in my shop soon. 

Bio

I am a dreamer. I travel through time and space observing, asleep and awake then make marks in mixed media, prose and poetry to share where I've been and what I've seen.

My paintings often begin with something that that stands out to me from a dream. It could be a character, colour, place or motif and I like to work it out loosely with pastels and charcoal, moving into acrylics, ink and oil pastels later.  Working in this way helps me explore the dream. It's great fun and can be so revealing.

I enjoy building up many layers of paint, pencil, ink and pastel - they’re like the stories of my life! I love exploring shapes, texture and colour, scraping through the paint with natures tools, brushes and palette knives like an explorer. I never know what I’m going to find or do next, and I trust this freeing process.