When I retired from full time work as an administrator at North Devon College, in Barnstaple, North Devon, I decided that, after painting for so many years, on a self-taught basis, I should formalise my education and get a degree. My choice was Fine Arts and after three years study in Barnstaple and Taunton, I graduated in 2011 with a Grayson Perry (upper second) from Plymouth University.


I have been a member of the Westward Ho! & Bideford Art Society for many years and was Exhibition Organiser from 2010 - 2018. I have also done a little teaching for groups of folks locally and have lived in the area for many years.


Colour is my passion. In my degree, I focused on painting and for three wonderful and scary years I was able to experiment and play. My thesis was on colour in the industrial age, which was a fascinating area of research. For me image making is often formed from memory and emotion rather than direct observation and, as with other artists, I can be influenced by issues that have a strong meaning for me. Initial stages of painting is where I enjoy the process of allowing and enabling material to flow and develop dynamically. Further stages can include form produced from images created by the spontaneous action of the media.


In some ways it could be argued that I am portraying what I see around me, in the landscapes, seascapes and skyscapes, of this beautiful part of this country. Living in Devon, I am lucky that I only have to walk a mile or so to get to water; there are several rivers nearby and the local marshes and estuary often provide the inspiration and motivation for my work. I am drawn to the abstractions in nature, and these play a large part in my work, sometimes without my being conscious of their presence until nearing completion of the piece.


In my more recent works, I am enjoying using oils and cold wax medium to produce depth and texture. I have always loved working with oils, the smell, the media and its forgiving nature, however it does take a long time to dry! Using the cold wax medium speeds up the process and creates gorgeous textures. I do hope you like what you see. .


My work is held in private collections in London, Scotland, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Australia, Germany and USA.