Biography
I worked for the Ordnance Survey in the days when everything was drawn by hand, and attention to detail and accuracy were essential. I continued my career as an Architectural technician, before retiring in 1999. It was only then that I could concentrate exclusively on my love of drawing and painting. I was encouraged to take the SBA distance learning course by Valerie Oxley, and gained a distinction in 2011, exhibiting at the London exhibition every year since.
I work mainly with Watercolour, but love the control afforded by Coloured Pencil, Graphite and Ink. I have also experimented with Gouache, and like to use this medium on a coloured background. I am constantly inspired by the plants and flowers in my garden, but am often found looking for lichen and fungi, also shells, feathers and other interesting subjects to include in my artwork.
I have exhibited in London, Frankfurt, Marvejols and Lakes Artist Society at Grasmere, along with other exhibitions in the Lake District. I teach at Higham Hall near Keswick, and local Art groups. I run a group at the Lakeland Horticultural Garden at Windermere where we are recording some of the plants and flowers growing there. My ambition is to encourage as many people as I can to enjoy the art of Botanical Illustration.