As a self-taught Cumbrian artist, based in Whitehaven, I now work full time producing work in a variety of media including acrylics, Derwent graphik line painters, acid free collage papers and pen and wash using locally made pigments from Florence Paintmakers in Egremont . As a young child I treasured the blackboard my dad made me and went through rolls and rolls of wall paper lining encouraged by my mum.

I’ve always been involved in art in some way. I sold some pieces in local exhibitions as a teenager then trained as a primary school teacher. I always made sure the children I taught had lots of opportunities to experience different media and develop skills.

Through the school summer holidays I often had the neighbourhood children with my own around the kitchen table doing arty things. As a Professional Development Officer for Cumbria Local Education Authority I introduced many artists into schools through In-service courses. Now I have the freedom to produce my own art. I don’t think I could ever limit myself to one particular media as I still have a love of play and experimentation.

For many years I focused on the landscape of Cumbria particularly my favourite childhood places, the fells we walked as a family and the forests we competed in as orienteers. But during lockdown when we were confined to our local area, I began to walk around the streets in Whitehaven. I started to paint the Georgian terraces and as I shared them on social media, people began to buy them. I currently concentrate on house and street commissions.

I am a regular exhibitor at Eskdale Art Show, Allonby Artex, Gosforth and District Art Show and The Lakes Artist Society Exhibition in Grasmere. I have work for sale in several galleries and shops in North and West Cumbria and Kirkcudbright. I am a regular at Cockermouth URC. I’m a member of EVAN (West), Gosforth and District Art Society, SAA and a Director of Lowes Court Gallery. See my events page for dates and further details.