In my Artweeks exhibition this year I will be showing paintings and illustrations from projects I have completed recently.
Over the last few years, I have painted some very busy large pictures of places you may recognise for Gibsons and Ravensburger to use on jigsaws. I’d to put in plenty of detail, bright colours, areas of similarity (eg. roof tiles on different buildings) but also little surprises to find. They’re designed to give enough challenge to keep the puzzler busy for hours, but hopefully not lead to maddening frustration. Jigsaws will be for sale.
Illustrations used in The Poets’ Trail books will be on show. The latest book is an anthology by local poets on the theme of The Four Seasons. The Poets’ Trail Project is based in and around East Hagbourne, encouraging people of all ages and stages to have a go at writing poetry. I love being the illustrator, painting pictures to enhance the words, but having the freedom to add some little extras. Currently I am working on a children’s book, using words and pictures from each class at the local primary school.
Didcot Oaks is a local group cataloguing and protecting the many ancient oak trees in the area. During lockdown I cycled round finding and photographing some of the old trees and I have made drawings and paintings of the most prominent ones in Didcot. The oldest is over 400 years old and in Edmonds Park.
Last time I opened for Artweeks I was in the pub! This time I will be in Hagbourne village hall, where there is plenty of parking. Hope to see you!
I am a professional artist and illustrator living and working in South Oxfordshire, where I have been for most of my adult life. I have always been inspired by the local area and participated in many local community projects. The latest ones are creating illustrated maps to go on outdoor display in Steventon and Sutton Courtenay, and designing a book of words and pictures with children from Hagbourne Primary school as part of The Poets’ Trail Project.
Also I paint private commissions, often commemorative paintings to mark special birthdays, anniversaries or life events. People ask for their house, garden, pets, children, holiday destinations, favourite places, etc. These can all be cunningly combined to give the recipient a few surprises.
My work has been published in books, on greetings cards, in calendars and more recently as jigsaws.
I was trained at art college in Dundee, Scotland, and over the years have shown work in galleries and exhibitions, from the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and The Society of Botanical Artists to local pubs and cafes.
Drawing and painting has been my life (as well as my dog (Poppy), my husband and my son).When I was a child and off school with measles, my big brother taught me how to draw stick people and perhaps that set my career in motion!