My love of painting began at an early age and has blossomed into a beautiful career. From my childhood bedroom to university, and now in my studio in an old mill based on the outskirts of Bath. Painting is a source of peace for me, a removal from the challenges of life, it is my desire to share this feeling in my paintings and to bring a much needed escape to your day.
I Create a sense of history and evolution by recording in layers the journey each piece has undertaken
I use anything I can find to hand to paint with and often my paint brushes are old and worn out, it makes me work harder to find the marks I am looking for. I generally paint in acrylics with some spray paint and pens. I have a keen attention to composition, I craft each piece with meticulous care, artfully balancing different elements to create depth and movement in my art.
I don't know where a painting will go when I first start it. I used to worry about it and be stressed that I wasn't more organised or prepared, now I let them happen, some find their way quickly and with ease, some challenge and frustrate me. I change direction with them often but I rarely give up on them. The marks that I make and discard are still visible and never truly disappear. They are a journey, often with unexpected results. there would be less depth to them if I planned them, less feeling. The paintings I struggle with are often my best, they show some frustration and determination. I consciously leave bits that upset or challenge me so they aren't too pretty or perfect. Life isn't perfect and sometimes it isn't pretty but that is what makes us all unique and beautiful in our own right.
Symbolism
I have always been fascinated by hidden meanings. Flowers have an incredible language all of their own. Sometimes I use them to write secret messages in my paintings, or use them to represent a way I am feeling at that moment.
Here are some examples of what flowers can represent.
Daisies - New beginnings, fresh starts, sunshine, renewal and positive perspectives
Dandelions - Youthful thoughts, health, perseverance and determination
Thistles - Protection, bravery, devotion and strength
Alliums - Good fortune, unity, success and grace
Cowslip - a flower precious to fairies and is used to find their hidden treasure, it also represents adventure and mischief
Buttercups - Humility, childishness, joy, new beginnings, general happiness and friendship
Other inspiration
I start the day with a long dog walk in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, with my slightly bonkers sprocker spaniel, it gives me space to think, and it is that space that I find in my paintings.
She never fails to make me smile as she springs through the long grass. She is in training as a studio dog, she just needs to learn to sit still and stop stealing my paint brushes!!