My art is a fusion between the intricate and the fun of a child.
My
Artwork
My work was born out of the recognition that art can be both beautiful and intricate but also quirky and fun.
My art is a fusion between the intricate and the fun of a child. Life is serious and detailed but should also be vibrant and fun. I am inspired by the wonder of nature and use colour to reflect the essence and aura of the world.
I appreciate and work with details of natural form, but also use the idea of the fairytale to show the story lying beneath the surface, which is why my work shows this essence in colours that comes from the soul within.
Murals
Currently I have been working on a community project within the Yorkshire Dales National Park visitor centre in Grassington, creating an interactive children’s mural depicting both the colour and wonder of the hills as well as the native animals and species that live there.
This voluntary project helps me connect to my local community and provide outreach and creative interest to the future generation about local wildlife. This project is a labour of love and you can read an article about the project here; Mural unveiled in Grassington - Yorkshire Dales National Park : Yorkshire Dales National Park
My Style
I create rather like the sea, with periods of rapid work and periods of frustration, calm and reflection.
These waves have shaped myself, my career and my art. The subjects I create capture not only the outer aspects of what I am trying to represent but also a part of my own soul at the same time, in this way my work and career is as much about creating art and help others as the need to create as Art as Self therapy.
I work in many forms such as acrylics, oils, mixed media and collage as well as more recently felting. I particularly enjoy larger work as it is very freeing, which is probably why I have done so much scenery and mural design and painting to date. I am inspired by all kinds of artists from Turner and his skies, Georgia O Keeffe with her expressionistic colour on through to modern felting artists such as Moy Mackay. My visual inspiration is eclectic and fluid, and my inspiration reflected through poetry, songs and literature.
Whilst my style changes according to my medium and subject, the overwhelming signature of my work is always colour.
Colour represents the soul of the subject I paint, whether that be the rugged landscape of the Yorkshire Moors, a peaceful seascape, an animal, or a person.
The landscapes of my inner and outer world have changed dramatically throughout my life and these changes have reflected my need to self-express and help others through creativity. Just like the sea cannot exist without its dramatic waves, currents and tides, I cannot fully create without life’s rhythms. I reflect on the periods of my life both happy and sad, funny and stressful that have come and gone like waves.
I am also about to exhibit a collection of my work, including portraits, landscapes and art therapy sketchbooks at Gargrave Art exhibition, after being voted the people favourite last year. This is an exciting time which is allowing me to display some of my bigger pieces, such as portraits of people who have inspired me like Attenborough and Einstein.
Galleries
Design ProcessA design process for a mural or family project involves several sessions of talking and exchanging ideas for a particular project or artwork. Although this does involve an extra charge it allows for the project to be a joint collaboration . This can involve sketches, conversations, emails, Power Points and sketchbook notes, once this process is complete both parties both the designer and client should feel confident and excited in the project they set out on before placing a deposit.
