My passion lies in painting flowers and portraits in watercolour.
In the early 70s I trained in printed textiles at Leicester Polytechnic College. My working career began as a freelance designer of printed carpets for the European and US markets. During this period I began teaching art and design in Further Education on a part-time basis, which then lead to me becoming Head of Department for art and design, working full-time in Further Education for 26 years in total. During my teaching career, I painted and exhibited as time allowed. I began painting professionally in 2005.
Pattern, colour and natural form are the focus for my floral watercolour paintings. Inspiration can be sparked by the flowers, their colours and shapes, a piece of delicious fabric, or special jug or vase. The contrast of natural form with geometric pattern is often a strong element in my work. I aim to produce a response in my painting that is fresh and contemporary, not merely a faithful reproduction and am inspired by the information set out before me to produce a spontaneous reaction. It is an exciting journey which I hope helps to keep my painting alive with fresh, vibrant colour.
I am a member of The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) and the Leicester Society of Artists (LSA)
‘A painting requires a little mystery, some vagueness, some fantasy. When you always make your meaning perfectly plain you end up boring people.’ Edgar Degas