About me….

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t being creative. As a small child I was at my happiest with a packet of crayons and a colouring-in book, even once being discovered drawing my family portrait on the wall in marker pen.

Throughout school, I enjoyed art with success therefore it seemed a natural progression to pursue my talent and interest from GCSE onto A’ Level. I undertook a BTEC Foundation course in art and design at Harrogate College where I was encouraged to experiment in painting, printmaking, photography and fashion design. At this time, my passion for painting and drawing floundered and my interest in fashion emerged. I completed my BA Hons Degree in Fashion Design at Salford University in 2001.

Having spent 4 unfulfilled years in retail management after University, I embarked upon a total career change and qualified as a Teacher of Art in 2007 teaching 11-18 year olds. I have been privileged to work alongside talented art teachers and students alike, a constant source for inspiration and to learn new techniques. I made the best decision of my life and left teaching in May 2014 in order to pursue my art career and I thank my lucky stars every day!

Alongside bringing up my young family, I currently work as an artist where I live in Harrogate. Working in oil, I paint mainly figurative landscapes and frequently work on privately commissioned pieces.

My inspiration….

I paint places I know, places I love, have memories of and connections with, predominantly in and around North Yorkshire. I like to bring reality to these settings through observing relationships and everyday situations and being true to life. My work is aimed at those people who can laugh at themselves, those who can recognise themselves in the paintings, or someone else close to their heart.

I take many location photographs, digitally edit them and then sketch my figures and develop a tale for the characters. I love to use colour in my work as it enhances the fun element to my paintings. I rarely reveal the characters faces as it encourages anonymity and allows the viewer to narrate the picture and make it personal to them!