Artist's Profile and Statement
My mother was my first creative influence. She was a maker and taught me how to look at the natural world around me.
I started my artistic life at Newcastle upon Tyne College of Art. My tutors taught me the importance of observation and to use drawing as a language of organisation and transformation, fundamental to developing skills in all areas of communication. I went on to study woven textiles which has given me a love of texture and 'material' which is still important to me today.
I returned to Fine Art (Fine Art Printmaking) because of my wish to express my ideas and concerns from a different standpoint and with a different emphasis. I was inspired by the Swedish Artist/Printmaker Birgit Skiöld. Her innovative approach gave me a desire to explore not only the techniques of print but also to discover more about the beauty and quality of handmade paper, livre d'artistes and the Japanese aesthetic.
In printmaking the relationship of technology and material, the physical, intellectual and sensuous processes are all combined to make the image. There is nothing more satisfying than impressing a deep velvety black ink into pristine white paper.
Education
- 1996 - M.A. Fine Art Printmaking, Camberwell College of Arts, London.
- 1994 - B.A.Hons. 2:1 Fine Art Printmaking, Cheltenham & Gloucester College of Higher Education. (now University of Gloucestershire) - Highly Commended in History & Theory of Art & Design.
- 1973 - London Certificate in Art & Design (Textiles) - Hammersmith College of Art (now Chelsea College of Art), London.
Exhibitions
I have exhibited across the U.K. and abroad taking part in such exhibitions as The Jerwood Drawing Prize, The National Print Exhibition, RWA Annual and Open Exhibitions and Fresh Art.
My work has been exhibited in the following selected galleries:
- Mall Galleries, London.
- Morley Gallery, London.
- Business Design Centre, London.
- The London Institute, London.
- Oxford Art Gallery, Woodstock.
- Gloucester City Museum and Art Gallery.
- Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham.
- Walford Mill. Dorset.
- Victoria Art Gallery, Bath.
- Stroud House Gallery, Stroud.
- Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour.
- Royal West of England, Bristol.
