About
I was born and grew up in North Norfolk. I spent several years in London and Kent to satisfy the demands of my career as a fashion designer and writer. During this time I was busy exhibiting at major exhibitions in the UK and Europe. My designs have been used for catwalk fashion shows in Paris and Milan and featured in major fashion magazines. I regularly visited North Norfolk and returned to my roots in 2002.
Whilst in London and Kent I worked (amongst other things!) as Art Director for photo shoots, as an Interior Designer, having studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Regent Street, London, worked as Private Secretary to the Chief Accountant of Columbia Pictures, Admin for an F3 racing team at Brands Hatch, trained with the KFA as an adult keep fit instructor, designed and carried out promotional work for the major yarn companies in the UK, Europe and Mexico, designed for most craft, knitting and machine knitting magazines, produced two knitting pattern books for a Mexican yarn company and conducted workshops on many creative crafts. During this time I also ran the North Foreland Lighthouse (the last one to be automated but still operational) in Broadstairs as a Visitor Centre on behalf of Trinity House.
I turned my creativity to art in 2015. Since then, my paintings have found their way around the UK, including Lundy Island and the Isle of Wight, several European countries, from New Zealand to South Africa, Canada and America and several other countries in between, and in several private collections. One of my coastal paintings sold at an Exhibition at The Guildhall in London, the proceeds being donated to the British Red Cross. I am honoured to be a Council member of the Norfolk and Norwich Art Circle and a member of the Natural World Art Society.
My art very much reflects my love of the coast, countryside and the natural world. I work in watercolours, acrylics, oils, both traditional and water based, and soft pastels, and am constantly experimenting with new materials and techniques in order to improve and expand my skills and creativity. I conduct inspirational 'Creative Watercolours' Workshops, including tutoring for a John Lewis Partnership residential art week in Brownsea Castle on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, England. I also enjoy photography and my images often form the basis for my paintings, many of which have a story to tell.
I regularly exhibit in my local area, both solo exhibitions and as part of a group, including at the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Cley, The Forum in Norwich and Blickling Hall, Aylsham (National Trust), as well as supporting local events such as Snowdrop Sundays at St Margaret's church in Thorpe Market, Acle Scouts and Trimingham Trosh!!! And a few years back, at their invitation, held an Art Exhibition in the Boatshed at Hunter's Yard, Ludham, which was great fun.
Voluntary work has always been part of my life. I carry out Home Check visits for re-homing rescue dogs for a local animal rescue sanctuary, which is very rewarding, carry out proofreading for various organisations, including Hunter's Yard at Ludham, and am a former Chairman of the World Lighthouse Society. I have many interests outside art and lighthouses, including music and steam trains! Having in recent years volunteered at the Poppyline steam railway at Sheringham and worked as a volunteer fireman on the Bure Valley Railway at Aylsham. And I have my Certificate to say I can drive a steam train!!! I was one of the BBC WW2 Story Gatherers in 2005, editing accounts of war experiences from members of the public for the BBC website, commemorating 60 years since the end of WW2 and for the purposes of storing them for posterity, which resulted in producing a book of the life story of one of the veterans, Frederick Wright. I'm a member of the Association of Lighthouse Keepers and The Norfolk Wildlife Trust. I'm a member of Mensa and support several charities.
The photograph is of me painting the shed as opposed to painting pictures, but still covered in paint!.
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