About

I am an experimental and mixed-media artist and thoroughly enjoy the challenge of creating new artwork in my garden studio. Although I began painting in Hertfordshire alongside ceramics 50 years ago, I began painting seriously again 20 years ago after moving to Devon.
Beginning an encaustic painting
I am drawn to the rich tapestry of colour-drenched textures, the unique light of the South West coast and country landscapes. With a passion for making and sharing art which is motivated by a welter of natural beauty, the endless painting opportunities, and particularly the excitement of sketching and painting en plein aire come rain or shine. When faced with constantly changing weather and a rugged landscape, the air magnifies colours and reveals nature in all its glory.

“Although watercolour has been my favourite media, I am constantly challenged by experimentation and love to mix media and techniques to recreate the textural qualities of the landscape or capture an essence of place, emotion or memory. My research into the ancient art of encaustics lead to an exciting new collection of encaustic wax paintings launched in July 2018. These encaustic wax paintings are created by fusing several layers of waxes creating ethereal abstraction. As they weave their magic the viewer is drawn in to a fantasy world that changes each time. My garden studio can often resemble a science lab and, when working on an encaustic panel, I can be found, a very large blow torch in hand, looking like an extra from a Star Wars movie!” I have been developing new ideas with Cyanotype (a form of photography with the sun), encaustic botanicals and handmade book making.

At home in the studio is when the fun starts, working in a range of media (watercolour, oils, acrylics, pastels, mixed media, printmaking and encaustic) is often necessary to fully respond to the unending source of inspiration recorded in my sketchbooks and on camera. Subjects chosen, including animal portraits, are uniquely painted with originality whatever media I think will be best. As an award-winning exhibitor, taking part in the televised Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2015, 2016 and 2018, being a finalist in the 2017 Devon Life Landscape Painter of the Year and runner-up to Mayne Gallery’s 2015 Fresh Art competition, have been exciting achievements. I am Vice-President of Devon Art Society, a member of South Hams Art Forum, Devon Artists Network, Torbay Guild of Artists, Teignmouth Art Society and Torbay Guild of Artists.