Introduction
I was born in Northampton, England but spent my childhood in Lancashire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire. I went to University in St Andrews then worked in industry in London and Paris and later in economic development in Glasgow. Now I live in Newburgh Fife, Scotland, where I share a studio.
My primary school introduced me to Titian and Cézanne, and although my education led me into science, art always fascinated me. As soon as I graduated, I bought a set of oil paints and I have never looked back. At first I wanted to fix images that came in dreams and memories, and then to explore surrealism, and I still like to give some of my paintings a slightly surreal quality. I have been fascinated by the rounded hills, dark woods and agricultural patterns of North Fife, the rich colours and textures of central France and the exuberant sensuality of the Scottish Contemporary Dance Theatre.
I paint mostly in acrylics, but preparatory sketches in pastels are sometimes as good as the finished painting. I like to experiment. As a novice potter I found that the workpiece seemed to evolve in its own way, into something richer and stranger than my original concept. In the last few years I have diversified into painting on silk scarves, which allows an immediacy, lightness and movement that I have found nowhere else.
As I developed my techniques and dreamed up more designs, theses scarves became popular with family and friends, and then with visitors to my studio. Word spread, and now I get a steady stream of commissions and repeat orders for accessories to go with outfits, and for birthday and Christmas presents. The scarves have been sent to England, Australia, Greece, Canada and the USA, and always get a delighted response.
The fact that each scarf is individually inspired, designed and painted gives them a specialness that printed scarves cannot achieve, although they may be technically more perfect. That is why I have resisted the temptation to market them more strongly: I would have to produce more and it would be difficult to maintain their individuality.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you see a design that you like in any of the 'galleries' on this website, or if you have an idea that you might wish me to develop into a truly unique piece of wearable art.
My primary school introduced me to Titian and Cézanne, and although my education led me into science, art always fascinated me. As soon as I graduated, I bought a set of oil paints and I have never looked back. At first I wanted to fix images that came in dreams and memories, and then to explore surrealism, and I still like to give some of my paintings a slightly surreal quality. I have been fascinated by the rounded hills, dark woods and agricultural patterns of North Fife, the rich colours and textures of central France and the exuberant sensuality of the Scottish Contemporary Dance Theatre.
I paint mostly in acrylics, but preparatory sketches in pastels are sometimes as good as the finished painting. I like to experiment. As a novice potter I found that the workpiece seemed to evolve in its own way, into something richer and stranger than my original concept. In the last few years I have diversified into painting on silk scarves, which allows an immediacy, lightness and movement that I have found nowhere else.
As I developed my techniques and dreamed up more designs, theses scarves became popular with family and friends, and then with visitors to my studio. Word spread, and now I get a steady stream of commissions and repeat orders for accessories to go with outfits, and for birthday and Christmas presents. The scarves have been sent to England, Australia, Greece, Canada and the USA, and always get a delighted response.
The fact that each scarf is individually inspired, designed and painted gives them a specialness that printed scarves cannot achieve, although they may be technically more perfect. That is why I have resisted the temptation to market them more strongly: I would have to produce more and it would be difficult to maintain their individuality.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you see a design that you like in any of the 'galleries' on this website, or if you have an idea that you might wish me to develop into a truly unique piece of wearable art.