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I have been practising as a professional artist ever since I left college in 1990. I studied textile design at West Surrey College of Art and Design in Farnham, Surrey (now University for the Creative Arts) and gained a degree in woven textiles. Before that, I taught outdoor pursuits especially sailing. After leaving art college, I spent 6 years teaching art and pursuing my own work before going full-time professional artist. I own a George Wood dobby weaving loom, which at present is in storage (though there is a plan to get it up again). I used to weave and paint when I first started my career as an artist, but at present I concentrate on painting.
For 30 years I lived and worked on the Isle of Wight, so you will see images from there on the website. Now I live in Whitby, near to my elderly parents who I help care for. Life is a bit of a juggling act. I enjoy painting around the Yorkshire and Northumberland coast, running workshops demonstrating to art groups and the rest! I have recently started doing air b&b in my home and find that my creative life has spilled in to my home, which is now being appreciated by my guests!
I am a die hard plein air painter, I dabble in my studio, but my heart is on location. I love the moors around Whitby but I am particularly drawn to the coast, the constant activity of the sea, the weather, and boats of all kinds. I have done a good deal of sailing, and time spent on the water has given me a good understanding of the sea, but I am still learning. My main stay of work is in acrylics, but I have many home made sketch books that I take on my travels, or out and about round Whitby. I like to sketch using pens and watercolours.
My acrylic paintings are worked quickly - I use palette knives a great deal, they give me an immediacy and scant detail that seems to work for me. Colour is a big part of what draws me to my work and this has been instilled through much dying of wool and matching colours during my training as a textile designer. My sketch book work is quite different. I like to sketch on the move - trains, ferries.... but I also like to sit in quiet spots and record more architectural things, and living in Whitby there is a wealth of views down steps and across rooftops! My sketches (along with some of my acrylic paintings) sometimes make their way to be limited edition prints.
I have been lucky enough to travel for my work. Painting whilst travelling gives you a really good reason to sit and enjoy a beautiful view! I have driven all round the coast of Italy in my camper, and returned to Tuscany several times. I have followed the classic yacht racing starting in Imperia, Italy and then along the south coast of France to St Tropez. I had a glorious three months in Bermuda on a residency. I have also enjoyed painting and sailing up the East coast of the United States, especially around Long Island Sound and Marthas Vineyard. In the UK I love to paint in Cornwall, on the west coast of Scotland where I have had exhibitions, and there are still plenty of locations on my wish list.
I trained as a weaver and own a 'George Wood Dobby' loom. And at the moment occasionally dabble in weaving on one of my smaller hand looms.
I am enjoying working on my tea towel designs which connect a little with my textiles training. I am pretty fascinated with collecting driftwood and enjoy creating little nautical pieces depending on what my imagination come up with. These I usually sell at my Christmas events.
Art in the Pen, Thirsk - 2016
Staithe Art and Heritage Festival - 2015
Brighton Art Fair - 2009
Affordable Art Fair - 2009 (with Kendalls Gallery)
2018 - Christmas show Number 4 Gallery St Abbs
2016,17 - Coast Gallery, Nr Scarborough
2010 - Gigha Gallery, Island of Gigha
2010,12,13 - Kendalls Gallery, Cowes Isle of Wight
2005 - Artists Harbour Gallery, Portsmouth
2005, 07,10,11 - Royal Society of Marine Artists
2005 - Harbour Lights Gallery Southampton
2001 - University Gallery, Leeds
1995,96,98,99 - Michael West Gallery, Isle of Wight
2018 Village Gallery, York
2010 Luckenbooth Gallery, Argyll
2007 Masterworks Foundation, Bermuda
2007 Hepsibah Gallery, London
2005,07 Camelford Gallery, Cornwall
2002 Michael West Gallery, Isle of Wight
2019, 2020 - North Yorkshire Open Studios
2015,16,17 - Whitby Studio Opening - own event
2014,15,16 - Lythe Village Hall, Whitby
2008.12.13 - Open Studios Isle of Wight
1990,91,93,96-09, - Various venues on the Isle of Wight
2012,13,14,16
2010
Resident Artist on the Isle of Gigha, in the Inner Hebrides
2007
I spent 3 months as Artist in Residence with the Masterworks Foundation in Bermuda
2003
At the invitation of the Indian Society of Marine artists I travelled to Pune, India where I led a two-day painting workshop for 30 adults.