I live in the Cambridgeshire Fenlands, painting in my studio in the roof of our house, overlooking the river and the big sky.
My daily walks along the river are rich with the changing sounds, colours and temperatures of the seasons, the shrill call of the kingfisher, the whistle of the otters, the gossiping and singing of the swans, fish jumping, trees rustling and talking, raucous crows, delicate songbirds, all feed into my work.
The light constantly changes and delights with big skies, gathering clouds, rainbows, dramatic sunrises and sunsets.
I have also been fortunate to travel to some wonderful countries and landscapes.
Wherever I travel I take my sketchbook so I have drawings which I refer to back in the studio.
I take my impressions and experiences from my wanderings, whether it is the minute pattern and position of a twig in the grass, the magnificence of a sunrise or sunset, or further afield the rugged beauty of a salt lake or imposing volcano.
Sketching seems to ground the full sensory experience of a place in the memory, and as such forms an important part of my work where visual and sensory impressions and references combine with emotional responses and are incorporated into my work.
I seek to express what it is that has touched me about a place or person.
Photo credit: Fabian Granados
My process for my more abstract paintings uses oil paints mixed with cold wax medium to create a lovely buttery consistency.
I use squeegees, palette knives and brayers to apply and build up layers of paint and history.
I write in these layers, make marks, sometimes add pigment or ash, or small precious elements of gold leaf or memento.
The writings and marks relate to the theme I am working on, for example, graffiti, ancient symbols, rock formation, etc.
Inspired by the natural world which is itself composed of many layers, I press textures into the surface and work into the layers to reveal glimpses of what lies underneath.
I love exploring colour and am fascinated by the huge range that can be made from just two or three colours. Attending colour workshops have encouraged me to develop my own colour mixing charts for reference and inspiration.
My work is rooted in the figurative, regular life drawing forms the basis and grounding for my work. From that foundation of accurate observation I am then exploring and abstracting in my paintings.
I studied History of Art at University, and have drawn, painted and explored creatively throughout my life, taking various courses and workshops over time that have challenged, developed and stretched my creative process. I paint what inspires me from the world around me, elements in nature, organic structures, geometry, lines, people's faces with their challenging planes and soft colours, and the lines and mass of buildings.
I am a selected member of Cambridge Drawing Society, exhibit regularly through Cambridge Open Studios
and am a founder member of OuseLife drawing group. My paintings are in private and corporate collections in Europe, Poland, USA and Central America.
I have work published in "Portraits for NHS Heroes" and the "Cambridge Art Book".