In more detail...

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I am a fine artist and designer. I was born in north Nottinghamshire England, where I still live and work.

Fundamental to my work is my passion for, and affinity with, the natural environment. The landscape of my early life was a 1980's mining village. However, my parents regularly helped us escape that with long walks in the woods and awe inspiring day trips to the dramatic landscapes of the Peak District.

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An early life dogged by ill health and a lack of money gave me great opportunities to develop a life long love of drawing and become very resourceful with with craft.

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At 13, I visited the then Trent Polytechnic and found the possibility of an art and design degree to be a total revelation! However my school didn't allow girls to study technical drawing and aspirations were not encouraged(!). Times were different, so unwanted jobs in administration began. By 2003, I was a  senior education manager leading the national co-ordination of the NPQH programme for headteachers.

However, the dream had never died, and I ldecided to leave that career and enrol onto a Foundation Course in Art and Design, progressing to study a BA in Fine Art at Lincoln University. From that point onwards I've enjoyed shaping my own professional development.

During my time in the world of education, I was motivated to help other disadvantaged young people: as part of my degree in business and management I conducted research into education business partnerships; I initiated such schemes in school; and I was part of a small team of governors that obtained funding for an award winning new secondary school in the county.

I then had the joy of combining my years in education & management with art, and applying that mix to youth arts work and arts development work in ‘hard to reach’ communities and schools across Notts and Lincs (funded mainly by Arts Council England).

I'm really proud to have worked with some fabulous cultural partners and some unforgettable young people. All of what has gone before now informs and enriches my work.

Whilst working as a consult I was fortunate enough to have my sculptural work  commissioned by various public bodies and my design work by numerous private clients.  

In 2018 I began the move away from arts development work to focussing full time on my own arts practice. I took up a print residency and set up my own studio at the beautiful Thoresby Park.

I'm now on a very determined mission to make up for lost time and make the best work I can. 

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