About
Welcome to my world of colour !
Based on the Fylde coast in North West Lancashire in the UK, I am an abstract artist who communicates emotion and experience through colour, line, marks, and symbolic shapes. My work is a reflection of my love of life and nature, embracing living in the moment, which is intrinsic to my practice. I use colour as a spirited metaphor to capture the complexity of these themes.
I paint instinctively, allowing my mood and often music to guide the process, which remains free from planning and purely responsive to the moment, allowing me to record and represent the ideas and memories I have etched in my brain in an intuitive way. The energy of my work hopefully resonates with the viewer, with depth created through layered colours that invite you to witness the stages of its evolution.
In my practice I enjoy working on several pieces at once, creating variety and flow and bringing interest to my work. I also engage in what I call ‘Paper meditations’ - impulsive, unplanned mixed media colourful compositions on loose rag paper or in sketchbooks. These spontaneous works again often inform my larger paintings by reminding me to stay present, be me, be brave and to embrace playfulness regardless of the scale of the piece.
While I engage in play and exploration, I also carefully consider the balance in the painting, constantly reflecting and fine-tuning. It's a delicate dance between spontaneity and precision, recognizing that too much fine-tuning can stifle the energy within the artwork.
For me, painting is more than just brushstrokes on canvas; it’s the history of my life, marked by memories, experiences, love, grief, and personal growth. For me, art is a special language that transcends words, allowing me to share and express my perspective on life and the world around us. Layering, editing, eliminating, and sometimes patiently waiting help me understand my true feelings about what I'm creating and, more importantly, why I’m creating. It stands as my most honest and sincere way of communicating feelings that words alone cannot capture — a thrilling and challenging voyage of self-discovery and expression.
Every time a painting is viewed, it offers a new experience, reflecting the passage of time and emotion. My heart is on my sleeve both in life and on the canvas, and I hope my work resonates with others in a way that captures their heart.
Living with chronic pain for half my life has also shaped my artistic practice. I often choose to stay stoic about it, recognizing that many people are dealing with far worse. Still, I mention it in the hope that my story may help someone else. For a while, chronic pain took over my life, leaving me feeling like a caged bird. Returning to painting after years of setting it aside for family commitments gave me the freedom to fly again and set my soul alive.
Engaging in creativity warms the heart and eases the mind, which is essential in coping with life’s challenges and to be able to embrace who you really are.
Creativity, in any form—whether it’s music, writing, dancing, painting, gardening etc—is essential for the soul. Without it, we’re like sunflowers with no sunshine. It helps us navigate life’s storms, bringing light and joy back into our lives. Life is short, and we must make time for what makes our souls sing.
My work is constantly evolving, as am I. With each piece I embrace my uniqueness, letting the work speak of who I am at this moment. I see my paintings as a dance of colour, sometimes layering extensively and other times letting the simplicity of a few strokes speak volumes. I am true to myself, expressing through colour, shape, and mark-making.
Nature's abundance and its changing seasons inspire me, reflecting the cycles we all go through in life. Grief had a profound impact on me, shaping my life after I lost my biggest supporter, my dad, whilst in art college. My heart was broken, I lost my confidence, my path, and eventually left my degree. Every painting I create holds a nod to him and to my other loved ones I’ve lost, as I feel their presence through my eyes, urging me to keep going.
No two pieces of my work are ever the same, just as no moment in life is ever the same.
Life is a series of abstract experiences, and I enjoy exploring and expressing these in my art.
Art, for me, is a language that transcends words—a way to express my innermost feelings and perspectives on the world. My hope is to share this joy with others, inspiring them to pursue their own passions and to see the beauty in life from new angles.