Artist Statement

My painting practice means many things to me essentially a way for me to escape, switch off and process emotions.
Almost 6 years ago my life changed dramatically when I was diagnosed with ME, this coincided with me starting to work at a local arts charity. The combination of having to completely reassess the way I lived my life and being surrounded by inspiring artists was a catalyst for me to pick up a paint brush again.
Now working from my home studio in Long Eaton, focussing on botanical and portrait studies, evolving to combine these elements in thought provoking pieces with emotion and narrative.
I use oil paint in a variety of ways, forever thrilled by its versatile nature. Working in thin layers to instinctively lay down compositions, which often change as I get a feeling for the piece. Working my way up to texture to add drama and interest. Creating areas rendered in high detail, sitting alongside bold undone passages of paint to create tension, allowing the viewer to fill in the gaps.
I create timeless ethereal portraits, awakening curiosity, inviting you into their world to see them and to be seen. Quiet, powerful, individual beauty intrinsically linked to nature. Informed by feelings, created through instinct, a place to escape the everyday and witness strength and beauty colliding. Familiar feelings of sombre fairytales interlacing the ominous with hope. Powerful personalities, unapologetically comfortable in their own company and skin. Ambiguous in their place in time, with space for their story to unfold around them, encouraging you to pay attention and take your time. Drawing you into my world, leaving you open to discover and interpret the pieces through the feelings and thoughts evoked in you while in their presence.