HILARY

I originate from South Yorkshire, but have lived on the Isle of Wight since 1984. I originally came to the Island as a sailing instructor, but I loved it so much I stayed. I studied woven textiles at Surrey Institute in Farnham in the early 1990's (now University for the creative arts). It was during that degree course I developed my ability and style of painting.

My paintings tend to be very marine orientated, but I also paint landscapes. I live in Cowes and enjoy sailing myself, so capturing the activity of sailing events such as Cowes Week is one of my favourites. I am also very much at home on rugged coastlines and enjoy painting these scenes in Cornwall and Portugal, to name a few. Recent travelling has taken me to distant places where I enjoy keeping a visual diary with my sketchbook and watercolours. In 2007 I spent 3 months in Bermuda as 'Artist in Residence' with the Masterworks Foundation. Recntly I spent 2 months travelling round Argyll and the Inner Hebrides in my motor caravan.

All the places I paint have an atmosphere that appeals to me, and this is what I endeavour to capture as I paint out on location.