About
my work...
... is contemporary realism in oils, grounded in traditional painting techniques and supported by meticulous observational drawing.
Working from life I utilise a representational style to encapsulate the essence of my subjects, while preserving the tactile quality of oil paint on a planar surface.
I am particularly noted for my still life compositions, portraits of everyday items in thoughtful, often whimsical, tableaus that evoke a sense of life, past or present​. Some subjects I have a personal history with and some hold the essence of other lives.
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In recent years, I have begun to include flora and fauna and books within my compositions, expanding the range of subject matter in my work. And I have returned to exploring the moods & weather of the British landscape as subject, particularly the environment around my rural studio.
I also had the privilege of painting five portraits for the Portraits for NHS Heroes initiative in 2020 & was thrilled have one featured in the resulting book.​
In June 25, I was filmed by BBC One Show at my studio, and interviewed live by Nick Grimshaw the Royal Academy of Arts, when my painting "Done and Dusted" was accepted for the prestigious Summer Exhibition. Spot me in the video below!
...myself
My journey to becoming a professional artist has been a little unconventional. Despite a lifelong passion for drawing and painting, my educational path did not include art, as it was overshadowed by more academic and scientific subjects. After studying for a degree in Chemistry it was while raising my two children that I seized the opportunity to further develop artistic skills.
I began my studies at the Open College of the Arts, followed by an Access to Art and Design course at North Oxfordshire School of Art in Banbury. I then pursued a part-time Fine Art degree at De Montfort University as a mature student, graduating with First Class Honours in 2002.
Since then, I have continuously refined my painting practice, working at Commercial Square Studios in High Wycombe from 2015-18 and since 2019, I have been creating in my new studio located in the charming village of Turville in the Chilterns. I am also a proud member the Oxford Art Society.
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My work is exhibited regularly, nationally, and internationally, and at the Affordable Art Fairs and I am honoured to have collections of my work represented by Will's Art Warehouse, Signet Contemporary Art, and The Watermill Gallery. ​
I have had work selected for The Sunday Times Watercolour Competition, The Lynn Painter Stainers Prize Exhibition, The National Open Art Competition, The Society of Women Artists and The Royal Society of Marine Artists.
Notably my work has also been selected for the ING Discerning Eye on seven different occasions, winning the Staff Purchase Prize in 2014 and I have had work selected for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2023, 24 & 25.