Background in arts – From a young age I wanted to be an artist in some form, I don’t think it occurred to me that it might not be possible.
I studied illustration at Falmouth College of arts as well as gaining a Foundation in art at Salisbury College and a Certificate in education from the Isle of Wight College.
Since graduating I have been painting the island and it’s people. Working primarily on location for composition not only makes the pictures more dynamic, it also means you have a better sense of place. I try to add a bit of fun and humour, bringing in seaside holiday fun. My work is predominantly created with a fine liner or dip pen and coloured using artists watercolours and a sable brush.
I developed the style I use today on the outdoor landscape painting module of my illustration course. At the time I was really into oil paint but after a few disasters with torrential rain and wind I found joy with a new medium, pen and watercolour. The pen meant I could get in all the details and the colours was quick to add (and dry unlike the oils).
One day I was painting on the beach and a large group sat down next to me obscuring the view, I painted them in and was pleased with the result – this was the start of my busy style. I graduated with a portfolio of quite unusual editorial oil paintings with a political edge and some landscape paintings I loved.
My break through was a solo exhibition in the rope store at the quay arts centre in Newport in 2005 followed by a second at Quarr Abbey in 2019. I sell my originals through the website, open studio events, craft shows and at Burfields in Ventnor so it is hard to build up a big enough body of work for exhibitions.
I stock shops across the island as well as at local shows and events, in addition to prints I have developed my own my own gift and homeware range as well as painting a wide variety of commissions.
My love of the water, walking and cycling has taken me to (almost) every bit of the island and I have enjoyed capturing the unique essence of each place and its people in my work.
I would describe myself as an ideas person and regularly have more than I could hope to bring to fruition. I’m currently working on a colouring, children’s and guest book as well as new products to add to my range and several paintings.
I hope you enjoy my paintings as much as I have creating them. I couldn’t resist putting (a slightly smaller version of) myself sketching in this work below.
