I was fortunate to have a wonderful childhood in the county of Rutland. The freedom to explore the fields and woods outdoors instilled an enduring love of the local countryside and wildlife.
I started painting portraits in oils in my spare time over 30 years ago, but had no professional training, as I studied Linguistics and International Relations at the University of Surrey. I pursued a career in employee benefits consultancy and, later, the care sector. I continued to paint portraits whenever I could as I found it most challenging and rewarding as my skills progressed.
After returning to Rutland to start a family in 1992, I also discovered pyrography and woodcraft which led to a long, rewarding process of experimentation and learning. The natural grain and texture of wood seemed to lend itself perfectly to pictures of wildlife and I successfully sold these at craft fairs and local exhibitions. I began to take commissions for oil portraits.
I gained some recognition locally and regular commissions until 2013, when sadly events in my life forced me to put my art to one side once again.
I am now free to concentrate solely on my creative journey, working in my small cabin studio near Rutland Water.
