Although I had always felt a strong affinity with artists - I had professional painters in my family - I came to painting late in life.  I studied literature at university, and pursued a career in media.  For years I collected art materials and took the odd workshop, but caring for three boys meant my life was full on, and my time was not really my own.  

 

Painting really has taken over my life now.  I get itchy hands if I haven't got a canvass on the easel.  I'm deep into my own development  and have found the process of painting - not necessarily the end product - deeply transformational.  It absorbs me and in many ways has come to define me.

 

What inspires me?  Definitely nature.  I love to celebrate the everyday in my still life paintings where the creation of mood and atmosphere becomes key as I respond emotionally to what I'm painting, which is always from life and often from our own garden.  I love this quote attributed to Constable: "Painting is another word for feeling". 

 

I hope you enjoy looking at my work.