A little about me
Layers, colours, shapes and patterns
I’m a professional artist creating vibrant, expressive abstract and semi abstract art filled with colour, rhythm, and line. I work from my tiny home studio in Hastings on the South coast of England.
My work combines intuitive mark-making and considered design. It is sometimes delicate and intricate, other times bold and joyful.
I’m endlessly inspired by the natural world, by the quiet beauty of everyday objects, and by the magic that happens when colour, shape and pattern come together in unexpected ways.
Repetition, rhythm, organic forms and playful complexity often emerge in my pieces, creating layers of interest and a sense of story.
A life long pursuit
I have been working as an artist for more than a decade and am the author of Expressive Sketchbooks: Developing Creative Skills, Courage and Confidence, published by Quarry in 2020.
I didn’t go to art collage, but believe art education is important. My life-long mission is to learn as much as I can about art making and share my knowledge and enthusiasm.
I came back to art making slightly later in life after not creating anything at all in my twenties.
I believe everyone can create beautiful art, it’s a natural human instinct to interpret and understand ourselves and the world through creating. Art-making is a skill, developed by practice and time, not an innate talent which we either have of don’t have.
I was recently featured as a case study in the book Outsmart The Learning Curve: How Ordinary People can Achieve Extraordinary Success about career change and pursuing your passions.
Ideas are everywhere
I’m captivated by the world around me, inspired by vintage textiles, ceramics, leaves, flowers, plants, rugs, tiles, the sea and trees. Collecting patterns, motifs and colours wherever I go, weaving them into my sketchbooks and later into my paintings.
I love mixing art supplies and exploring line, mark and shape. It’s often the smallest detail that sparks the greatest curiosity.
Author and teacher
I’m the author of Expressive Sketchbooks: Developing Creative Skills, Courage and Confidence (Quarry Books, 2020).
Over the years, thousands of students from around the world have taken my online classes. If you’re looking to reignite your creativity, experiment with mixed media, make art that excites you or fall in love with your sketchbook you may like to check out my collection of instant access art classes:
The magic of sketchbooks
Sketchbooks are at the heart of my creative practice. They’re a space for experimentation and discovery. Sketchbooks are a place to explore, make mistakes, make art for yourself, try things out and evolve your own visual language.
I’m passionate about helping others embrace their creativity through developing a sketchbook practice.
Art with a story
In 2014, I was honoured to receive the Winsor & Newton Watercolour Revolution Prize, with my work exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery in London. Since then, my art has appeared in places as varied as Gordon Ramsay restaurants, hospitals, cruise ships and hotels, as well as on book covers, magazines, packaging, clothing, and architectural projects. Wherever it appears, I hope my work brings colour, joy and connection.
