Dear Reader,
Firstly, thank you for visiting my website I am very happy to see you!
So now that you’re here, may I invite you to come with me on a brief(ish) summary of my journey so far…?
As a child I was surrounded by ‘Art’ in one form or another. My Father was originally a carpenter and boat builder, but as an Artist he spent many hours in his studio immersed in his latest work. The walls were adorned by his paintings in their hundreds. Landscapes, trawler boats, seascapes from all over Scotland and Ireland. He lived and breathed it.
Before his passing in 2012, he took part in the Channel 4 TV series ‘Watercolour Challenge’ and was also a founder member of Banff Art Club some 40 years ago.
Also a musician, my Dad was the guitarist in a popular 60s band. And for many years together with my Mother (a beautiful singer) they performed regularly as a musical duo. Practice nights in the kitchen are amongst my fondest early memories.
My Brother, who was (and still is) five years older than me, is a very talented guitarist. So there was creativity, art and music everywhere! And I loved it.
I knew from an early age that I had inherited my parents love of music, and a good singing voice. And throughout the years I’ve revelled in every moment as a rock band lead singer, and as a solo performer. The show off in me lends itself well!
And truth be told nothing could compare….until now!
Painting was not something I thought I had any talent for…whatsoever.
And then it happened, THE SPARK!
My Husband (believing I had ‘something’) went out and bought some supplies. He set up an easel, popped up a canvas, and laid out some paints in a conspicuous location i.e middle of the sitting room floor. He thought he just might be able to tempt that ‘something’ out of me.
But it didn’t tempt me at all. Art was for other people.
I skirted around them for several days, picking up a paintbrush now and again, squirting a couple of colours on the palette, then declaring in no uncertain terms “I can’t do it!”
I didn’t even know where to start.
Undeterred, my Husband started the canvas off with a few splashes of colour.
A few nights later I walked over again, and picked up a brush…but this time ‘something’ happened…’something’ began to flow….and then it flowed…and it flowed….and it flowed….What was THIS???
In fact, from that precise moment, it has just kept on flowing. Thanks to the persistence of my lovely Husband David, I had tapped into the ‘something’ he thought he had recognised, but that I never even knew existed.
Since that night I can’t even begin to tell you how it has injected a truly magical dimension into my life, one I could never have imagined. Right from that moment, my life changed. Here was something that actually paralleled my passion for singing…and never in my wildest dreams did I think that a possibility.
Born in Edinburgh I grew up and spent most of my life in the small fishing community of Macduff, on the rugged North East coast of Scotland. Married at 17, a lovely Son and two beautiful Daughters followed by the time I was 21 (Now have two adorable Grandsons and two gorgeous Granddaughters). Gaining a Batchelor of Arts degree in Professional Development in the field of Education (BAPD), for 18 years I taught Beauty Therapy as a Further Education Lecturer. Following on from that period of my life, I enjoyed several years seeing the World, and am now a full time artist having completely immersed myself in my new calling.
From my studio in rural Aberdeenshire and it’s nearby coastline, I absolutely adore the visual stimulation that surrounds me. The colours of the sea and sky. The beauty and tragedy of nature. Energy in its endless forms. The synergy of the elements. Hope, life, movement, truth. The inspiration and possibilities are endless, and already the positive responses I have received from buyers and galleries has overwhelmed me.
In September 2019 I was incredibly honoured to be selected by SAATCHI GALLERY, LONDON (One of only 28 artists globally) as a solo exhibitor for emerging artists.
As a result I am now represented by THE GALLERY STEINER, Old Town, Vienna and at several high end global Art Fairs.
Working mainly in acrylic on canvas, my work is created using an unusual mix of loose free expression, often combined with controlled intricate detail. Texture features hugely in my work, with sgraffito and impasto techniques amongst others. I rarely use a brush…my favourite tool is a backscratcher!
My inspiration? Well I could say the wonder and beauty of the the World we live in and that would be true.
However aside from that, I am often moved to convey a message of social conscience, reflecting an issue that we as the present caretakers of this amazing planet are concerned for. Or indeed it may be a thought provoking celebration of life itself. I don’t always know where the creative process will take me, and sometimes a painting is created simply to enjoy.
And truthfully my inspiration can be anything as simple as a solitary word, a feeling, a story, a snowdrop, a rock, a colour, a belief, a scene, a cloud, a metal, an insect, a myth, a shape, anything. In fact as a commissioned artist, I welcome any challenge thrown at me… and then what follows is the explosive and exciting process of its interpretation and creation!
And finally a word of appreciation for my beautiful Mum, who is also my biggest fan. She and I of course share the regret that my Dad is not here to see how art has become such a wonderful part of my life. His well used paint spattered easel is now mine and takes pride of place in my studio, and there are SO many things I want to ask him.
But sometimes, in fact quite often, I feel him sitting beside me offering words of advice and encouragement.
And really, above all else, I just want to make him proud.
Thank you for your time dear reader, I wish you love in your lives and peace in your hearts.
