What’s your background?
Since I was a child I have always felt compelled to draw and make things. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t in love with art. It has always been part of my life. When I moved to the beautiful North East of England I decided to paint full-time and to study Fine Art at the University of Sunderland and graduated in 2014.
Explain what you do in 100 words
My painting is a response to the wild and beautiful North Pennines landscape. Underlying my work is the consciousness that although I look at the landscape I am also within it and this, for me, means painting what is experienced as well as what is seen. Within my work, I am attempting to find a balance between abstraction and representation that will express this. My working process begins with the site visits where I sketch, take photographs and make notes. Then, in the studio, I develop my ideas, making intuitive, direct gestural marks which guide the progress of the painting.
What five words best describe your work?
Lyrical, responsive, atmospheric, expressive, painterly.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am at the exciting stage of planning a new project. I am about to start work for two solo exhibitions next year. I will be basing my paintings on the Teesdale landscape around Bowlees. I am really looking forward to going over there for sketching and then seeing what happens in the studio!
Which three artists inspire you?
I have many favourites, but if I had to chose three that inspire me, I would say: Sheila Fell, Joan Eardley, Barbara Rae.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
“Go bigger!” (Although I am very bad at taking advice, I know in my heart I should pay attention to this!)
Favourite or most inspirational place in Yorkshire?
I love the landscape around the Cleveland Hills. I never tire of looking at it… the ever changing light and colours.
Tell us something we don’t know
I trained as a garden designer and ran my own business when I lived in Cardiff.