I grew up in Lincolnshire, by the sea in Skegness. A childhood spent roaming the countryside and the wonderful, big beaches, fostered a love of wide open spaces with long views. As a child, I loved beach-combing , a habit I have never lost. This practice of connecting to the outdoors on an intimate level, acknowledging it’s history, building new memories, finding peace and solitude outside, is what I try to convey in my work. The theme of familiarity is the thread that unites my land and seascape paintings.
I completed a foundation in Art & Design at Lincoln College of Art, specialising in printing. I moved to Brighton and worked in Community Arts for a while before taking a degree in Fine Art & Social Context at UWE Bristol. I was especially taken with a module focussing on memory and place, looking at the way in which places shape us and who we are. During this time, I worked in oils and developed textile pieces using vintage fabric and embroidery threads. After graduating, I continued to paint whilst working as a picture framer and self-employed community artist.. I felt at home in the South West and stayed in Bristol for a few years. During this time I trained as an adult education tutor and worked in the Adult Learning sector for over ten years. I became self employed in 2018 and I currently teach four classes a week. I spend the remaining time painting in my lovely garden studio in the beautiful market town of Frome. I visit Cornwall regularly as it offers endless inspiration and I miss being by the sea.
Statement
My paintings of land and seascapes reflect a deeply personal connection to place. I’m inspired by my home landscapes of Somerset and Wiltshire, as well as Cornwall. I am especially drawn to open, solitary environments, weathered structures, winding paths, rugged cliffs, and the ever-changing sea—places where the land holds visible patterns, unique shapes, and a sense of layered history.
Once I discover a place I love I will revisit repeatedly. This ongoing engagement is vital; walking, observing, and sketching over time allows me to move beyond initial impressions and gain a richer understanding. I become attuned to subtle shifts, accumulating memories that nurture a profound sense of belonging. These places gradually feel like a second home, familiar yet always offering something new. I frequently gather small found items—fragments of pottery, shells, or sea-glass—which serve as gentle reminders of past human presence and the passage of time. In sites with notable historical significance, I deepen my research through relevant literature and photographs.
Colour plays a central role in my work. Using a deliberately limited palette, I use the colours found in the landscape, re-imagining them to express an emotional or physical response, rather than a direct representation. In my studio, I work from memory to produce small paintings on paper. These, alongside my sketches, become the foundation for larger paintings. Using acrylics as my main medium, I integrate hand-painted collage, oil pastels, and water-soluble drawing tools to create surfaces rich in layers and texture. This intuitive mixed-media approach enables me to reinterpret familiar landscapes, encouraging viewers to find and celebrate their own sense of connection with these places.