Florals

I have always spent endless hours on walks being completely consumed in the study of how plants grow, their structure, shape, form, colours and the pattern they create. I get so close to them that they appear oversized and consume me, as though I am an insect.

My bold gouache paintings of flowers are my interpretation and creative design of all this study, spending many hours on each painting (up to 70 or more) to create a bright, larger than life graphic style flower. The boldness is accentuated by the simplification and removal of certain features, whilst exaggerating others and creating patterns to draw the viewer in.

My other florals are in various medium. They are an excitement of colour, texture and form set in backgrounds to create mood. They represent a celebration of flora and the energy they give us, and the energy we perceive with our eye or soul.

Energy of The Land

This work portrays the spirit and energy of the land as seen by one's heart and soul. Each picture seems to create its own particular energy, thus people report immense feelings of, for example, empowerment, security, belonging, enlightenment, tranquillity and peace.

To paint the canvases I carry out energy work including some Tai Chi in order to enter a totally intuitive space and often use my left hand to access my right intuitive brain.

Indulgence

For me, this new work is pure indulgence into gorgeous texture and colour - a texture that you can’t resist touching, and colours which mingle and emerge, creating a luxurious feast.

This work is inspired by the deliciousness of the palette after painting my ‘Energy of The Land’ pictures, and a desire not to waste any of the oil paint - following my environmental beliefs.

Penguins

I started painting this series in 1997 having been inspired by a wonderful television documentary about Antarctica.

My work implies the strong parallels that I see between penguins and humans, hence I give some particular human traits to the penguin characters to depict this parallel further. The result is, when viewing the pictures, you are able to take a look at mankind, connect on an emotional level and often have a therapeutic laugh at ourselves.

The penguins are based on a combination of the physical and behavioural characteristics of the two Antarctic penguins, the Adelie and the Emperor. This is in order to produce a generic penguin, which people can identify with.

This artwork has led to the writing and illustration of my book on climate change, ‘Who Will Save Us?’, which is proving to be very successful in reaching the public with its positive message. "Who Will Save Us?"

Spirit Within

This work depicts the spirit of the human being, which exists throughout time and is all powerful. The paintings aim to reflect the wondrous beauty of us all. The body is represented in black outlines and implies it is temporary and much smaller than the spirit. How the body is held and lived in reflects the spirit which is within and is all encompassing of the physical form.

The work was inspired by my experiences as an Occupational Therapist and Masseuse. Working with young to old bodies, whilst being aware that the spirit was ageless, so immense and that it determined health.

This collection illustrates the spirit from the young to the elderly person ready to leave their dying body.

Beach Huts

I have spent my life surrounded by stunning moorland and beach scenery, with many hours collecting shells and glass on the shoreline.

The paintings of beach huts are my memories of the simplicity and peace of being on the beach in all weathers and the huts standing like little soldiers watching over us.

Animals

Similarly to the penguins, I give some human traits to the characters, to enable the viewer to make an immediate personal/emotional connection, and as usual there is an element of fun in these pictures.