About

I have been drawing for as long as I can remember and it has always been a natural part of how I express myself.  I drew inspiration early on from art books and drawings that my father had, and have been largely  ‘self-taught’ or ‘self-inspired’.  In the early 1990’s, I did a Foundation Course in Art and Design as a mature student, where I first painted with oils, and instantly loved the textures, colours and processes involved.  In 1997, I had a portrait accepted for exhibition as part of the BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery.  I have undertaken portraits in oil, pastel and pencil over many years, subjects both human and animal.

In portraiture, capturing the physical ‘likeness’ of my subject is important, but equally important to me is to understand and evoke the ‘essence’ of the subject, be they human or animal.  I find it deeply satisfying, when revealing a completed (although they never are truly ‘finished’) piece of work, to see someone emotionally moved by the hand-produced work in front of them.  This is all the more poignant if the subject is no longer with them, which is sometimes the case.  My aim is always to produce a portrait that both touches the heart and pleases the eye.

At the moment, most of my portrait commissions are in soft pastel and pencil, but I’m more than happy to discuss the whole and be as flexible as possible.  I can either meet the subject myself and take my own photographs, or I’m happy to work from your own good quality photos, either printed or digital.  We’ll discuss the best image as part of the process.

My landscapes vary in size and materials, ranging from small 8 x 5 inch ink washes to larger oil paintings over a metre square(ish).   I love to paint and draw landscapes that inspire and evoke a sense of the experience of being in that environment.  Many of my landscape pieces are of or inspired by the beautiful Forest of Dean, where I lived for 18 years until moving recently to Sussex with my two daughters.  I am enjoying exploring and discovering pastures new as inspiration for works.

Please take a moment to browse through my portrait and landscape galleries, and if you’re interested in buying an original, ordering a print, or asking me to create a piece for you, please get in touch via my contact page and we can take it from there.

I  look forward to hearing from you.