About Me

My passion for drawing and painting started 7 years ago after reading a book that claimed that if you can learn to drive you can learn to paint!  This sounded encouraging especially as I was convinced that I could not draw or paint (other than walls) to save my life and that this is a talent you must be born with.  I decided to give it a try, picked up a paint brush and my journey of discovery began.

I like learning new things and there was a lot to learn!  Exciting times and often frustrating ones too but that is what learning a new skill is all about.

I used every help I could find like online painting videos, art books, watercolour courses and most importantly plenty of practice. My favourite mediums are ink pen, watercolour and acrylic pens.  I really enjoy working with pen and watercolour wash which then led me to ink drawing. I love the contrast between light and dark and when I pick up my pens drawing just seems to come naturally and easily without the frustrations I sometimes feel when using watercolour.  

Whatever medium, be it watercolour or ink pen, that I decide to use depends on my mood and the subjects I want to paint or draw.  It's not unusal for me to have a watercolour and a drawing or two on the go at the same time

I love the landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales, Scotland, the coast and sea and the Hebrides.  A lot of my inspiration comes from the Isles of Harris and Lewis, with Lewis being especially close to my heart.  Sometimes my landscapes are not based on a specific place but rather I take inspiration from the landscapes that I love and the rest just happens in my head which is the most wonderful place of all. 

I also enjoy drawing and painting birds, flowers and my pets.  My subjects can be anything that grabs my attention, inspires me and gets me drawing and painting.  I like to try out new techiques, mixing media and new ways of working.  With nearly every project that I do there is something new I have to try out.  Art for me is a wonderful journey of discovery and learning. Everytime I create something I find and learn something new.  It's all about loving what you do!!