My Story
About my love for ink...
When I paint, the ink dances on the paper, alive with movement. Before starting, I feel a mix of freedom and fear. The process can be quick and simple, but it requires a specific emotional state to succeed. Control is essential: knowing when to apply water, how long to let it soak, and when to remove some. Then, the ink takes its turn, working with me in a partnership. My interest in the human figure began with childhood paper dolls, each with distinct characters and fancy wardrobes. Though I'm grown up now, the fascination with this concept remains.
I was trained at Bretton Hall, University of Leeds where I gained a 1st class BA in Fashion and Textiles. After a spell of teaching fashion and fashion illustration in Milan, I worked in the fashion industry for several years as an embroiderer and fashion designer. After several years living abroad I returned to England and to my first love, painting figures and illustrating fashion. Since then, I have evolved into a successful freelance artist, and create from my studio in Kent. I am a published artist, with greetings cards and framed prints of my work being sold both through online outlets and through stores and shops such as John Lewis and The Shard. In addition my Banquet paintings have also been used by the well-known store Anthropologie on a range of dessert plates and serving platters, both in Europe and the United States. Other clients include Nordstrom, JJill, Hatchette Book Group, and my work can also be viewed in hotels, theatres and cruise ships internationally. I am also author to a book on INK published by Laurence King Publishing.