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It's Summer! Or is it?

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 08:25:17 GMT

It's Summer! Or is it?

I had just thought that Summer was eventually here, then started to wonder as the weather turned cooler with thunderstorms and rain!

Like many of us, I love Summer with its longer daylight hours, ideal for walking in the local woodland. These walks are a feast for the senses – seeing the beauty of the trees and the wildlife, hearing the birdsong and the rustle of the leaves as the breeze catches them, and the breathing in the scents that go with it.

Not only is walking among trees good for us on many levels, for me it’s also wonderful inspiration for future paintings. When I’m back working in the studio I just wish I had ‘sound-and-smell-o-vision-paint’, so that I could make my paintings even more evocative of these amazing places!

There may be some more coastal scenes in the pipeline soon as well, as I recently spent a week on the Isle of Wight, with it’s gorgeous coastline and scenery.

Don’t forget, if you’d like a beautiful painting to celebrate your special place just get in touch to have a chat about it.

All best wishes,

Fiona.

PS - our next Bloomz Arthouse Annual Show will be on 28-30 April 2023. Make a note in your diaries now!

Please feel free to share this newsletter with anyone who you think would enjoy it.

New work and exhibition invitation!

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Mon, 16 May 2022 20:13:53 GMT

New work and exhibition invitation!

Firstly, I have two new works to show you. The tranquil and captivating coastal scene in ‘Morning Calm’ is 60 x 60 cms in oils on canvas, while the dramatic and evocative ‘Sunset Rendezvous’ is 16 x 16 ins in oils on gold leaf. They are both now on my website at www.FionaHooper.com if you’d like to check them out, or email me for more information.

If you’d like to see a short video of how I apply gold leaf to a canvas then follow this link to my YouTube channel.

My second piece of news is that I will be exhibiting with the Dorking Group of Artists at Betchworth in Surrey from the 2nd to 5th June. There is also a private view evening on the 1st June by invitation only. If you would like an invite to this fantastic exhibition’s private view please let me know and I will email one to you with pleasure.

I shall be at the exhibition on Thursday morning (2nd June) and it would be really lovely to see you there.

All best wishes,

Fiona

We Are Back!

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 08:49:55 GMT

We are back!

Preparations are proceeding fast now ready for our annual Bloomz Art Collective’s international art event on the 29th and 30th April!

This is an event for everyone who loves art, including art collectors and people who would like to own original art but don’t quite know where to start!

If you have ever thought that art galleries are boring, or even a little bit intimidating, then this is a great show for you. Come and meet 15 artists from around the globe, see our work, watch live demos, talk to us, ask us the stories behind our art, or ask advice on how to begin or grow your art collection.

All from a computer near you, via Zoom as you have never used it before (unless you’ve been to one of our previous shows!). You don’t even have to leave your house, and if you don't like being on camera you can always come along and leave your camera turned off.

We are a friendly, welcoming bunch of artists from around the globe, keen to engage and help people to get art they LOVE onto their walls at home. It's an entire art experience that will leave you feeling inspired, and may well change how you see art!

Get your free tickets at Bit.ly/TheBloomz and find out more about us at theBloomz.co.uk

There will be 15 artists (myself included!) waiting in their individual studios to meet you, chat and answer questions!

We have myself, Stephanie Lester, Sammy Hexter-Andrews, Julie Wrathall, Steve Brookes, Steve Gallagher, Ben Laughton Smith, Colleen Conti, Marion Deacon and Debbie Page from England, Mac McGregor from Scotland, Elisa Colangeli from Italy, Cindy Porter from Australia, Lynda Bell from New Zealand, and Katerina Kestemont from Switzerland.

And we all have very different styles of art for you to enjoy.

So add these dates to your diary -

Friday 29th April 7pm UK time

Saturday 30th April 10am and 7pm UK time

Don't forget to come and say ‘Hi’ – I’ll be waiting in my studio to meet you!

All best wishes,

Fiona

A wonderful day out!

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 18:36:00 GMT

A wonderful day out!

Last Saturday I spent most of the day at the Surrey (Spring) Art Fair at Sandown Park Racecourse, meeting up with friends and chat ting with many of the artists exhibiting their work there.

It’s a very well run show in a light and spacious building, ideal for seeing all the wonderful work on display. There really was something for every taste and pocket, from abstract to traditional, paintings to fibre art, and oils to pencils.

I was especially interested to see the layout, and check where my stand will be when I exhibit there later this year (23rd – 25th September), on stand 19.

I’ll send invitations out nearer the time and would definitely recommend it to all my art loving friends – it’s well worth a visit. Mark it in your diaries now!

All best wishes,

Fiona

It's here at last!

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 12:47:50 GMT

It's here at last!

At last I’m ready to reveal exclusively to you, as a valued subscriber to my newsletter, the series of small oil paintings on gold leaf that I’ve been working on recently!

These are now on my website at a special VIP introductory offer price of £90.00 each, with free UK postage (please contact me regarding shipping to other countries).

The nine paintings are gorgeous little nuggets of gold to brighten up any wall and bring pleasure all year long.

The link to the private page on my website is www.FionaHooper.com/VIP-special-release and you will need to enter the password - VIPoffer

You’ll have exclusive access for a month from today, and then they’ll be listed on my public website pages at my normal prices and also shown on social media.

There are landscapes, seascapes and two flower paintings, with sizes ranging from 13 x 18 cms to 15 x 20 cms.

They will make fantastic gifts for the special people in your life, or why not treat yourself to a few to make a wonderful display!

Message me to purchase – first come, first served!

All best wishes,

Fiona

Little nuggets of gold!

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 16:57:53 GMT

Little nuggets of gold!

Firstly, a very happy New Year to you all. I hope that you had a really good Christmas in spite of Covid’s attempts to derail things again.

I’ve been continuing with the gold theme and am currently working on a series of small oil paintings on gold leaf. These are going to be available first to my VIP newsletter subscribers (that means YOU!) and at a special VIP introductory offer price. I’ll be sending you a link to a private page on my website once they are all completed.

So far there are some landscapes, seascapes, and even flowers! Gorgeous little nuggets of gold to brighten up your home at the start of a new year!

You’ll have exclusive access for a month after the link is sent out, and then they’ll be listed on my public website pages at my normal prices and also shown on social media.

The one shown here is Birches and it’s a little gem at 13 x 18 cms., in oils on gold leaf on canvas panel.

Look out for my next newsletter and the exclusive link for my private website page!

All best wishes,

Fiona

Have a wonderful heARTy Christmas!

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 13:41:03 GMT

Have a wonderful heARTy Christmas!

Gosh, it’s that time of year again already! Time to wish you all the very best for a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year – followed by a fantastic 2022!

And also to thank you for your continued support and encouragement over the last 12 months. It really means a lot to me, and I very much appreciate it.

Having finished the commissions last month that had kept me occupied for a while, it was a lovely change to get back to painting another landscape. This time I was painting on a canvas that had been covered with gold leaf, and which had been sitting in my studio begging to be painted on for quite some time!

Paintings on gold leaf are a challenge to photograph as they can look so different as the light changes, but I think I’ve managed to capture a good likeness here.

The painting is called ‘Splash Of Colour’ and is in oil on gold leaf on canvas. It measures 60 x 60 cms, and is £550 (unframed), plus shipping. It can also be supplied in a black floating frame which really sets it off to perfection.

As well as this larger painting, I’m currently working on a series of small works also on gold leaf and will be able to reveal some of these in my next newsletter.

In the meantime it just remains for me to say again that I hope the festive season is a really good one for you and your family.

Stay safe, have a happy Christmas, and a happy New Year!

All best wishes,

Fiona

Nature's beautiful places

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 13:37:48 GMT

Nature's beautiful places

Sheltered Valley!

Those of you who’ve been watching my weekly live shows on Facebook about The Poetry of Painting (each Wednesday at 7:00pm UK time) will know that I’m passionate about trying to do everything I can to minimise my impact on the environment, as I find the whole issue of climate change very worrying.

It scares me to think that so many of the beautiful places that I’ve visited over the years may soon be lost forever. In my art I love to celebrate these special landscapes and hope my paintings will inspire others to try to help preserve them as well.

I’m currently looking at ways to make my art practice as environmentally friendly and sustainable as possible, as well as trying to generally reduce my use of plastics.

This painting with its meadows, trees taking on autumn colour, and majestic mountains with the early snows can bring a reminder of the beauty of nature into your home.

The painting is called ‘Sheltered Valley’ and is in acrylic on canvas. It measures 60 x 60 cms (unframed size), and is £550 (unframed), plus shipping. It can also be supplied in a black floating frame which really sets it off to perfection.

Please feel free to email for further information or you may like to come along to see it in person at Kingston Upon Thames next Saturday (weather permitting) where a warm welcome always awaits you!

All best wishes,

Fiona

Autumn is here!

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 12:35:03 GMT

Autumn is here!

Autumn - a time of change as we put the clocks back, dig out warmer clothes, and the trees start to change from green to gorgeous golds, reds and russets. What does Autumn mean for you?

It can also be a great time to think about having a change in your home with a new painting (or two!) to brighten up your walls!

As promised, these two new paintings are being sent out to you by newsletter before they appear on social media and my website.

Both paintings were inspired by the change in the seasons and the glow of the Autumn foliage, and are in oils on canvas and 60 x 60 cms (unframed size). The painting on the left is called ‘Autumn’s Glow’, and the one on the right is ‘Mountain Tarn’. Each painting is £550 (unframed), plus shipping.

Please feel free to email for further information or come along to see them in person at Kingston next Saturday (weather permitting) where a warm welcome awaits you!

Stay safe and hope to see you soon!

All best wishes,

Fiona

A new painting and exhibition news!

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 12:25:56 GMT

A new painting and exhibition news

Firstly, a new painting! Back to the gold leaf, with its beautiful shimmering reflective qualities. This painting was inspired by a stand of trees in a lovely peaceful and tranquil spot.

‘Golden Trees’ is in oils on gold leaf and is 8 x 10 ins (unframed size). Please email me if you’d like more information. Weather permitting I will be showing this painting at Kingston on Thames on Saturday, if it’s still available.

THE BLOOMZ ONLINE ART EVENT - 24 / 25 September.

I’ll also be showing ‘Golden Trees’ and many other works at our Bloomz first anniversary online art event this coming weekend! Meet 10 international professional artists from as far afield as Australia and New Zealand. At this show we are excited to have three amazing guest artists joining us!

It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to get you know you better, talk with you about our art, for you to ask questions ands see what we do.

There are shows at 7:00pm on Friday 24th, 10:00am and 7:00pm on Saturday 25th September.

Stay safe and hope to see you soon!

All best wishes,

Fiona

Exciting and busy times.

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 12:18:34 GMT

Exciting and busy times

The annual exhibition of the Association of Sussex Artists is still on until this coming Saturday afternoon, ending at 3:30pm. It’s open daily from 10:30am to 5:00pm at the Drill Hall, Denne Road, Horsham, RH12 1JF. I have eight of my paintings on show there, together with over 300 by other artists plus there are over 80 sculptures and other 3D works - all for sale.

If you can get along to visit the exhibition I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as the quality of work is very high!

I’ve been busy working on some portrait commission paintings lately, including three handsome young sons for one family. They’re coming along very well, but it means that I’ve not got very much in the way of new landscapes to show you this month!

However, there are some lovely paintings available on my website, mainly of the beautiful natural places that I love. If you’d like to bring a reminder of the beauty of nature into your home to give you a smile every time you see it, pop on over to www.FionaHooper.com and see what takes your fancy.

Stay safe and hope to see you soon!

All best wishes,

Fiona

Finding the right piece!

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 12:12:43 GMT

Finding the right piece!

This Saturday was our second exhibition at Kingston upon Thames since Covid. It was absolutely great to be able to chat with people and show my art.

One lovely lady was walking past when she spotted the ideal painting for her home. She'd been looking for that piece of art for over two years!

I delivered the painting to her beautiful apartment on my way home and she and her family were absolutely thrilled with it!

If you or anyone you know would like a beautiful piece of art on your walls to make you feel happy every day and add that finishing touch to your room, take a look at my website to find your perfect painting.

My landscapes will bring some of the beauty of nature into your home.

In my paintings I always try to capture the beauty of the natural world, which is sadly disappearing all too fast. If by my paintings I can help to remind people of the fragility of the environment, then I feel that this is another small way in which I can help to protect it.

If you'd like any help in deciding which piece would work best just drop me a line.

Stay safe and hope to see you soon!

All best wishes,

Fiona

We're going back to Kingston!!!

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 12:57:13 GMT

We're going back to Kingston!!!

Great news! We’ll be starting our exhibitions at Kingston again on Saturday 3rd July (weather permitting) – after a Covid enforced break of nearly 17 months!

It’ll be fantastic to be back there, showing our work and talking to collectors, clients and other lovely people again.

You’ll be able to find us outside Barclays Bank opposite the Bentall’s Centre between 9:00am and 4:45pm. If you’re in the area please come and say hello! For more location details please check my website at www.FionaHooper.com/events

I’m planning to have my latest painting on display there. ‘Rugged Sentinels’ is shown above and is painted in oils on silver leaf, 60 x 60 cms. The silver leaf shines through the oil paint and creates some lovely effects especially in the areas of the water and the sky. £550 (unframed) plus shipping.

Stay safe and hope to see you soon!

All best wishes,

Fiona

Only 4 days to go!

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 12:54:07 GMT

Only 4 days to go!

Coastal Hedgerow, Sunset. Oil and gold leaf on canvas, 30 x 30 cms. - making the most of the beautiful effects of gold leaf and oil paint. Coastal Hedgerow is £220 (unframed) plus shipping.

Wow - how time flies!!!

In addition to having a new painting to show you (above) I’m getting really excited preparing for our next Bloomz international online art event which is happening this coming Friday and Saturday (18th and 19th June)!

As well as myself there will be nine other professional artists from around the world! It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet us all in a really relaxed atmosphere in our studios, chat with us and ask questions, see our work, and if you see something that really takes your fancy you can even purchase art - and all from the comfort of your own home! If you want to come along and just watch our showreels and listen that’s ok, too.

Think of it as The Louvre in your living room, transporting you into the art world!

This video gives you just a taster of the show ahead...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6U5gNsUh_k

Tickets (free) are now available from TicketTailer for this our eagerly anticipated, 3rd International On-line Art Show – just click on TICKETS .

All tickets can be used at any of the shows, the link is the same.

Our first two shows (Sept 2020 and Jan 2021) received rave reviews and once the allotted tickets have been taken there will be a waiting list in case of cancellations.

Our Bloomz online art show is brought to you on the Zoom platform, but not as you know it! You'll be able to navigate your own way from studio to studio to visit us, all around the globe.

We create artwork that is varied and different - from the mediums we use to create our master works to our subjects. There will be works in oils, watercolour, acrylics, mixed media, encaustic wax, textile art and fibre art. With subjects ranging from landscapes to animals, angels to beautiful strong women, and abstracts to mandalas.

There will be three Art Show sessions over two days –

7:00pm on Friday 18th June 2021

10:00am and 7:00pm on Saturday 19th June 2021

(Dates and times are in UK time). All sessions will last 3 hours, and we suggest you allow at least 2 hours for your visit.

All of us artists are detailed on our website ( https://theBloomz.co.uk ) so that you can get to know us a little before you arrive at the event. Plus, once you have registered for tickets, you will have access to the event page with videos and lots of information about the show.

If you want to experience artists from around the world on a computer near you - get your tickets NOW!

The Artists have taken over the Art Gallery!

KINGSTON UPON THAMES

At long last we are in the process of organising our return to Kingston upon Thames for our exhibitions there every other Saturday! As soon as we have our dates agreed I’ll send another newsletter to let you know.

THE POETRY OF PAINTING

Don’t forget to join me for my weekly live sessions about ‘The Poetry of Painting’ on Facebook at 6:00pm (UK) on a Wednesday evening, with a different guest poet each week. The link is https://www.facebook.com/fionahooperartist/ - do come along and say hello, or you can watch on replay!

Stay safe and have fun!

All best wishes,

Fiona

Gold, gold and more gold!

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Mon, 17 May 2021 12:18:07 GMT

Gold, gold and more gold!

I hope that you’re keeping well, managing to start getting out and about a bit, and seeing friends and loved ones.

The gold leaf ‘bug’ has definitely gotten hold of me at the moment, and I’m really enjoying seeing what I can create when using it in my paintings. These three paintings have all been painted with oils on top of gold leaf (imitation – who’d want to hide real gold under paint???).

It’s impossible to convey in a photograph just how these new paintings seem to change in different lighting! They can go from bright and sparkling to looking like a sunset scene as the light changes, and look different again in artificial light! It’s almost like having many paintings on one canvas!

Splash Of Light, oil and metal leaf on canvas, 40 x 40 cms. Price £290 unframed, £340 framed, plus shipping.

From Forest To Meadow, oil and metal leaf on canvas, 40 x 30 cms. Price £240 unframed, £290 framed, plus shipping.

New Beginnings, oil and metal leaf on canvas, 40 x 40 cms. Price £290 unframed, £340 framed, plus shipping.

An advance notice of a date for your diaries! I will again be taking part in The Bloomz online exhibition on 18th and 19th June with nine other international artists! It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet the artists in a really relaxed atmosphere, chat and ask questions, see their work, buy art if you see something that takes your fancy, and all from the comfort of your own home! If you want to come along and just look and listen that’s ok, too.

There will be three shows - 7:00pm-10:00pm on Friday 18th June, and 10:00am-1:00pm and 7:00pm-10:00pm on Saturday 19th June (UK times).

I’ll send another email with all the details nearer to the exhibition, but you can book your tickets now (free, but you need a ticket to get in) here .

I’m hoping that by my next monthly newsletter I’ll have some news about when we’ll be back exhibiting at Kingston upon Thames!

I’m still doing my weekly live sessions about ‘The Poetry of Painting’ on Facebook at 6:00pm (UK) on a Wednesday evening, with a different guest poet each week. The link is https://www.facebook.com/fionahooperartist/ - do come along and say hello, or you can watch on replay!

Stay safe and have fun!

All best wishes,

Fiona.

Fun with gold leaf!

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 12:10:43 GMT

Fun with gold leaf!

I don’t know about you but I’m really loving the lighter evenings and the sunny weather that we’ve been having! It’s going to be lovely to be able to meet up with people again - socially distanced, of course. I hope that you’re managing to meet with family and friends now.

I’ve been trying out some new techniques recently, and one which is really fun is using gold leaf. I added some leaf to a semi-abstract that I did a while ago, and it has really given it that little something extra! For another painting I prepared a small canvas with gold leaf, and then painted some of my favourite birch trees on top in oils. I’ve recorded a short exclusive video so that you can see the full effects of the gold leaf, which you just don’t get in a photograph - https://youtu.be/1zTV2p2sw8Q

Another couple of canvases have also been prepared with some gold leaf which will peek through the oil paintings which I’ll be creating on top. Exciting times!

‘Silver And Gold’ is oils and gold leaf (imitation) on canvas, 18 x 24 cms (unframed), price £130 plus shipping.

I’m still doing my weekly live sessions about ‘The Poetry of Painting’ on Facebook at 6:00pm (UK) on a Wednesday evening, with a different guest poet each week. The link, for those who are on Facebook, is https://www.facebook.com/fionahooperartist/ - do come along and say hello, or you can watch on replay!

It’s that time of year – my prices will be increasing on the 1st of May. If you have your eye on a painting but are not quite ready to buy at the moment a deposit will reserve it at the current prices for the next 6 months.

All the very best,

Fiona.

Are you missing the countryside?

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Sat, 20 Mar 2021 14:43:45 GMT

Are you missing the countryside?

Here we are, another month closer to the end of lockdown in England! As a landscape artist I’m looking forward to being able to get out to paint again, as well as being able to meet up with friends and family. I hope that you are keeping well and coping with lockdown as well as possible.

In the meantime, I’ve been keeping busy with painting and also with my weekly sessions on ‘The Poetry of Painting’ on Facebook at 6:00pm (UK) on a Wednesday evening. My link for those who are on Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/fionahooperartist/ - do come along and say hello!

In this week’s session I talked about my painting ‘Summer Pastures’ and read out my own original poem that reflects how I was inspired by the location.

As many of you will already know, I love to create paintings that convey a feeling of tranquillity, and what most attracted me to this subject was the sheer peacefulness of the place.

Although not such a long way from civilisation, there was no traffic noise, no sounds of machinery to disturb the peace, just the quiet gentle sounds of nature on a beautiful afternoon.

The water was as still as could be – acting as a mirror to the sky and the banks, hardly a ripple in sight. On this hot, still, summer’s afternoon, it was a place of great calm and tranquillity.

I decided on a wider format for this painting to try to convey the sense of peace and space of this quiet place. I used a knife with oils to paint it to give some different textures such as the glassy water, the rough grasses by the water’s edge, the weathered wooden post, and the solidity of the buildings.

The poem will be printed out to go with the painting when it sells. If you’d like to hear me read the poem you can catch the replays on Facebook or visit my YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAQRsVfDUa-Ih6DIlqW-dug - where you will also find the recordings from previous sessions including last week’s which also featured one of my poems for a different painting.

‘Summer Pastures’ is in oils on canvas, 30 x 60 cms, price £290 (unframed) plus shipping. Email me for more information.

All the very best,

Fiona.

Trees!

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 17:25:27 GMT

Trees and other news!

Dear reader,

Happy February! Now that we have January out of the way we can start to look forward to longer days and warmer weather to come.

I seem to have fallen in love with painting silver birches and aspens lately, mainly because of the fascinating patterns that develop on their bark. I’ve many sketches and photos of them to keep me inspired for some time yet!

What are your favourite trees? Majestic oaks, smooth beeches, rich green conifers, stately poplars? I’d be really interested to know.

Trees seem to offer a focus of stability and calm in this crazy world of ours, even without hugging or talking to them! Walking amongst trees is a great way to reconnect with nature and to recharge your mental batteries; I love to be able to see the patterns and tracery of their branches against the sky at this time of year.

They are so important to the ecosystem of our planet as well, helping to mop up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and aid in the fight against global warming.

The image on this newsletter is ‘ Solace Of The Trees ’.

In this new painting I have tried to convey not only a feeling of tranquillity but also of hope and joy. Step into the scene, lose yourself for a while imagining the sights, sounds and scents of nature, feel the sun on your back and a gentle breeze on your face. Then, when you’re ready, come back to reality feeling refreshed and relaxed.

The painting is in oils on canvas, 50 x 50 cms, price £380 (unframed) plus shipping. Email me for more details or visit my website – www.fionahooper.com/landscapes .

All the very best,

Fiona.

PS - If you’re on Facebook and fancy a bit of a chat at 6:00pm (UK time) on a Wednesday, I’m going to be hosting live sessions on ‘The Poetry of Painting’. It’s going to be a mainly light hearted – and sometimes irreverent – look at how poetry and painting have a lot in common. Just don’t expect it all to be serious! Bring your own drinks! Join me at https://www.facebook.com/fionahooperartist/

My Story

fiona_h@btinternet.com (Fiona Hooper) — Sun, 07 Feb 2021 14:34:23 GMT

My Story!

Many of you know my artwork but probably don’t know very much about me! So, I thought I’d give you a glimpse into my story and how I came to be an artist.

As a child I was always drawing, especially horses, and I used to doodle all over my exercise books at school. Luckily, we had separate books for our homework which had to be handed in and I managed to keep those reasonably doodle-free!

Even though I hadn’t done art O-level I was insistent that I wanted to take it as one of my A-level subjects and eventually the school gave in and I thoroughly enjoyed my art lessons. The teacher, Miss Power, introduced me to exciting new mediums such as charcoal, lino-cut printing, silk screen printing, and acrylics.

Jump forward a few years and I had started taking commissions for drawings of pets and other animals, and kept up my artistic journey by attending life drawing classes and various other courses. The ones in the South of France with tutor and artist Mitch Waite were especial favourites!

I now accept a limited number of commissions for portraits of people and animals, nowadays in oils rather than pencil, and have also painted commissions of wedding venues.

However, this year I will be focusing mainly on my landscape paintings, which I paint using a knife rather than brushes. I just love the way I can move the oils on the canvas with a knife, and all the effects that it enables me to achieve.

The landscape subjects that I choose are generally either local scenes or from sketches and photographs from my travels around the world. I love to spend time in wild, quiet places, where a person can forget the hustle and bustle of daily life and really relax and appreciate nature. This is reflected in my paintings, which are designed to help you to feel the peace and tranquillity of these special places, and to bring a sense of nature into your home.

Please feel free to get in touch with any questions or comments that you may have.