I am a professional artist based in Sussex and I paint large original landscape and seascape paintings in oil on canvas.
My painting style is a fusion of Expressionist, Impressionist, Semi-abstract, Art Deco, a little Art Nouveau and whatever mood I am in that day.
I am inspired by the patterns of nature and the energy, colours and spaces of the landscapes and animals around me.
I like to think that paintings have ‘little souls’ woven into them by artist’s and that these are what call to a viewer (or not as the case may be) and give a painting presence and desirability.
All of my paintings have a story added in to them - sometimes humorous, sometimes mystical, sometimes with a message of hope or encouragement.
My aim is to make art that offers a glimpse of spaces and possibilities where people can escape the manic pace of life and imagine themselves somewhere better – even if just for a little while.
As a child, I taught myself to draw and paint by copying animals and horses out of books on an almost daily basis. I was helped in formulating the purpose to be an artist by watching Rolf Harris on the TV (and no I don’t care what the press says about him – he is a brilliant artist and an inspirational teacher). In 1979 I did a foundation course at Chelsea and then a degree course at Brighton where I graduated in 1982 with a fine art degree in sculpture. I then worked in a studio on the seafront for a while making sculptures with an architect for clubs and hotels.
On moving to East Grinstead in the late 80's, I began painting for an art agent that specialised in animal, people and bespoke portraits and soon became skilled at painting dogs and horses in a classical style. I also took on mural painting commissions and wrote and illustrated a few children's books.
In the late 90's I began teaching art adult education courses for Central Sussex College as well as running my own art courses. I sell my paintings mostly in on-line galleries but also through galleries and exhibitions. I have exhibited at the Mall galleries in London, Chelsea open exhibition, local galleries such as Chequer Mead, East Grinstead, The Hawth Theatre, Sheffield Park, Lingfield, Brighton festival, Shoreham gallery and many others.
My goal is a) to paint a masterpiece one day b) help other people to get the thrill from their creating their own art that I get.
As a child, I taught myself to draw and paint by copying animals and horses out of books on an almost daily basis. I was helped in formulating the purpose to be an artist by watching Rolf Harris on the TV (and no I don’t care what the press says about him – he is a brilliant artist and an inspirational teacher). In 1979 I did a foundation course at Chelsea and then a degree course at Brighton where I graduated in 1982 with a fine art degree in sculpture. I then worked in a studio on the seafront for a while making sculptures with an architect for clubs and hotels.
On moving to East Grinstead in the late 80's, I began painting for an art agent that specialised in animal, people and bespoke portraits and soon became skilled at painting dogs and horses in a classical style. I also took on mural painting commissions and wrote and illustrated a few children's books.
In the late 90's I began teaching art adult education courses for Central Sussex College as well as running my own art courses. I sell my paintings mostly in on-line galleries but also through galleries and exhibitions. I have exhibited at the Mall galleries in London, Chelsea open exhibition, local galleries such as Chequer Mead, East Grinstead, The Hawth Theatre, Sheffield Park, Lingfield, Brighton festival, Shoreham gallery and many others.
My goal is a) to paint a masterpiece one day b) help other people to get the thrill from their creating their own art that I get.
Like many artists I sometimes describe myself as an ‘award winning artist’ for PR reasons. It is true but I rarely mention what the awards were so in the interest of integrity, here are my awards:
a) When I was 4 and in a convent school I won the ‘best painting of an angel’ competition. I won a handkerchief and a plastic flower.
b) When I was 9 I came first in a local painting competition for painting a picture of my house. It was a surprise as I had chucked it away a few weeks earlier when I got cross with it – not knowing my Dad had found it in the bin and entered into the competition. I still have the photo that was in the local paper of me looking simultaneously stupid, pleased and disgusted as the Mayor gave me my prize. I won a £5 book token.
c) When I was 11. I became the proud owner of a Blue Peter badge which I won for painting an underwater scene in a competition in 1979. I won a plastic badge with a boat on it.
d) When I was 37. I won an award for best wildlife painting in an on-line competition where people voted for best painting. I never got my prize as the website went down a week later.
e) When I was 48. I won first prize in the Danehill Art Fair. I won £250 (yay – an actual prize!)
That was possibly the best my illustrious competition winning career is going to get but at least I can genuinely call myself ‘award winning’ – impressive eh?
Fine Art degree - Brighton - 1983