About Me

I am a painter of rural and urban landscapes, based in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. My style is a mixture of traditional and expressive techniques and though I use a variety of mediums, I find acrylic paint better suits my needs.
 
Born in West Yorkshire, I grew up surrounded
by the rugged moorland landscape of the Brontës and Ted Hughes. Subconsciously, my eye has been coloured ever since by its legacy of grit- stone buildings and stark beauty.

​Whether in Hertfordshire, or further afield, I tend to avoid the softer qualities of nature, seeking out drama and juxtaposition - the unfamiliar.
 
My visual influences are diverse and include a love of Gainsborough’s pastoral scenes, John Martin’s Biblical epics and Ashley Jackson’s atmospheric skies, fused with an enthusiasm for film, all of which filter through to my brush work.

Trained as a scenic designer, I often think of my subject as though it were a stage set, enhancing the drama and looking for a story to tell. I rarely paint a location exactly as I find it, preferring to alter weather, lighting or viewpoint to that which I believe best enhances its character and reflects my response to it. I’m also fascinated by the passage of time and my paintings often depict ancient landscapes which humans have interacted with and built on, but are slowly being reclaimed by nature.

In addition I demonstrate and run workshops for art societies and education centres, details of which can be found in my Events section.

My work has also been featured in 'Leisure Painter' magazine, where I am a regular contributor of articles.

Biography

​​Trained:
UCE in Birmingham - BA (Hons) Theatre Design
Huddersfield Polytechnic - Foundation Diploma in Art & Design

Member:
Society For All Artists (Professional Associate), National Acrylic Painters' Association and Herts Visual Arts
Exhibitions:
2019 -  Group exhibition Baldock 4 at the old Town Hall, Baldock, Herts -  (Herts Open Studios)

          - Exhibitor at Patchings Art Festival, Notts.

2018 - 'The Artist' Competition Exhibition, Patchings Art Centre, Notts

          - Stotfold Watermill Summer Exhibition, Beds

2018/17/16/15/14  -  Ayot St Lawrence Art Show, Herts

2017 - Herts Open Studios, Hitchin, Herts
​
         - 'The Artist' Competition Exhibition, Patchings Art Centre, Notts

         - HVA Spring Group Exhibition - New Maynard Gallery, Welwyn Garden City

         - 'Living Crafts' HVA Stand, Hatfield House, Herts

2016 - Artist-in-residence, Herts Open Studios, Baldock Arts Centre

         - 'Up Your Street' Group Show - The Artnest, Hitchin, Herts

2015 - 'Horizons' Group Show - Nude Tin Can Gallery, St. Albans

2013 - Solo Show - Letchworth Arts Centre, Letchworth Garden City, Herts

         - Copperbeech Art Gallery, Little Wymondley, Herts

         - Group Show - Hitchin Town Trail, Hitchin, Herts

2005 - Solo Show - The Radlett Centre, Radlett, Herts

2004 - Solo Show - Questors Theatre, Ealing, West London


Awards:
2017 - St Cuthberts Mill Award - 'The Artist' Competition Exhibition, Patchings Art Centre, Notts


TV:
Participant in Sky Arts 'Landscape Artist Of The Year 2016 and 2017'

Web Galleries:
Painters Online,  Saatchi Online and Etsy