Rosa Rugosa Alba (watercolour)

Snowdrops (photograph)

Eden (encaustic)

I came to painting from a background in photography. I specialise in flower portraits, in both watercolour and photography. The paintings are not botanical paintings, but my response to the spirit and the joy of the flowers, using strong washes of wet in wet colour and hinting at their natural setting. My watercolour flower paintings have been described as vibrant and luminous. To achieve this effect I use good quality transparent watercolour paint and lots of it! I've noticed that I prefer painting large flowers, and those with a fairly defined centre (not the double varieties, and nothing too tiny). I think I have a preference for a "Bees Eye View!"
Painting with watercolour can be frustrating but is always magical - perfect for capturing the luminosity and texture of the petals; some are transparent like stained glass windows, others are thick and soft like velvet. I like to let the paint do its own thing where possible - it's just amazing to watch it blend and flow, creating effects that are never the same twice. I have started to use other media, but watercolour will always be my first love.

I am a committee member of Taunton Art Group (www.tauntonartgroup.co.uk) and also a member of the Blackdown Flower Painters.

New for 2012:

* My latest exhibition was with Taunton Art Group at Taunton Library from Tuesday 20th March 2012 until midday Saturday 31st March 2012. (www.tauntonartgroup.co.uk). Thanks to everybody who came see us - your support is very much appreciated. I am delighted to say that I received the award for Best Watercolour in the exhibition with my painting of Rosa Rugosa Alba.

* I will also be exhibiting with the Blackdown Flower Painters at the National Trust's Killerton House from May 8th to May 19th.

* On 4th June I will be taking part in Trull's Party in the Park along with Rosemary Sargent, where we will both be selling gifts and cards based on our flower paintings.

* I will be taking part in Somerset Art Weeks, for the first time, in September 2012, along with Trudi Morgan (artist specialising in animals and flowers) and Josephine Wadman (jewellery designer who hand - makes beautiful lampwork beads).

 * From April I started trading as Garden View Studio: launching a range of quality greetings cards for sale, initially featuring my paintings and photographs, but later on possibly also featuring the work of other Somerset artists. (www.gardenviewstudio.com, which is still under construction). In the meantime if you would like to buy cards of my work, please visit: http://www.redbubble.com/people/gardenview, to see what is currently available. Cards are also available from various outlets in Taunton, including The lovely Olive Tree delicatessen and coffee shop in Bridge Street, where I also have some paintings on display in the cafe upstairs.

 

 

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