My Story
I am a self-taught amateur painter based in Colchester, Essex, working mainly in oils, watercolour and pen and wash.
I discovered painting during my recovery from cancer. What started as something to occupy my mind and give me a focus gradually became a real passion and an important part of my life.
I have learnt by painting, experimenting, making mistakes and trying again — and I'm still learning.
My painting journey
My painting continues to develop and I still enjoy experimenting, learning and challenging myself.
In 2026, I was delighted to receive Highly Commended in the Emerging Artist category of the Cambridge Plein Air Artist of the Year competition. The competition has separate Emerging Artist and Professional Artist categories, so receiving recognition in the Emerging Artist category was a real milestone for me and gave me the confidence to continue developing my plein air painting.
In 2025, I completed my own contemporary interpretation of John Constable's Wivenhoe Park. The painting is now on permanent display at Wivenhoe House Hotel, overlooking the landscape that inspired both Constable and my own work.
I am Chair of Dedham Art Society and an exhibiting member of both Dedham Art Society and Colchester Art Society. I really value being part of the local art community, painting alongside other artists, exhibiting my work and sharing our enjoyment of painting.
Art with purpose
Because painting came into my life during my recovery from cancer, fundraising through my work has always been important to me.
I founded ipaint4hope, bringing local painters and artists together through exhibitions to raise money for Cancer Research UK. I also donate a proportion from sales of my own artwork to the charity.
For me, it is simply about using something I love to give something back.
And today...
I'm still learning, experimenting and discovering what I enjoy painting. You'll often find me outdoors with my paints, sketching somewhere with a coffee, working in my studio or taking far too many photographs of things I might want to paint later!
Painting has made me look much more closely at what is around me. Sometimes it is a wonderful landscape, but just as often it is an ordinary moment, an interesting building, a splash of colour or something happening in everyday life.
I never quite know what will catch my eye next — and I think that's part of the fun.
My painting
I love colour and light and I'm particularly drawn to landscapes, coastlines and the character of the places around me. I enjoy painting en plein air whenever I can. There is something very different about painting outside, working quickly and responding to the changing light, weather and colours in front of me.
I also paint in my studio, often working from my own photographs and sketches.
My interests are quite varied and I don't like to restrict myself to one subject or medium. As well as landscapes, I enjoy painting flowers and gardens, buildings and architecture, people and scenes from everyday life. I particularly enjoy taking a sketchbook out and capturing people going about their day in pen and watercolour.
Quite simply, if something catches my eye and makes me stop and look, there is a good chance I'll want to paint it.