Animals have always been an important part of my life. I grew up on a farm in Suffolk, surrounded by horses, with a Whippet for a best friend and a drawing book never far from my clutches. Having studied Art at A' level, I returned to it in my thirties when I began drawing dogs in pastel for pocket money after which, in 2018, I migrated to oil paint, augmenting my skills at the Norfolk Painting School in 2020 by undertaking a year long diploma. Since graduating, I have discovered a freedom of expression with oil paint as well as colour, pattern and line. This freedom which is more fully expressed in my flower paintings, has found its way into my dog paintings also which grow ever looser and more lyrical as my journey progresses.
I exhibit across East Anglia, having had work accepted by the Ipswich Arts Society, The Colchester Arts Society and the Institute of East Anglian Art who in 2021 awarded me Highly Commended for my portrait of a blue Whippet. I continue to accept and welcome commissions and from March will be offering one-to-one and small-group tuition at my studio for those wanting to try their hand at dog-painting and still-life.
