I started painting seriously later in life.  My heart and my head are full of images that are seeking to find their way on to a canvas from what feels like many life times. Most pressing after being to Africa several times, were the animals.   So I began there as both my camera and my experiences provided much material to explore.  Springtime in a new house brought poppies and their beauty amazed me and so I started to paint poppies, exploring different approaches to capturing their beauty.  Each subject demands a different approach.  Elephants and rhinos want me to work with layers and layers to create a feeling of weathering and thickness.  To me, beauty comes as I push and pull infusing blues and purples and yellows.  As so many African animals are in danger of extinction, I find myself continually pulled back to painting them and hope that I can raise awareness and bring a glimpse of Africa to those who see my work.  

As an artist I strive to let my heart and my soul be my guide.  As a stroke is put down on a canvas I watch as a story progresses as the layers build and I seek direction for the next stroke and the next.  Subjects like game drives on safari need abstraction to come to life and I pull on a different part of me to create pieces that for me represent the excitement of the drives.   I have never been one who is comfortable taking a linear approach so in my studio you are likely to see an abstract in process, a flower study and an elephant all sharing the space, waiting for their turn and my attention.  I love acrylic and typically work with many layers to get my paintings to where I want them to be.  Working with thin and thick layers, thick and fine brush strokes,  I strive to create a level of complexity that honours the subject matter and a piece that is interesting and intriguing to explore whether viewing up close or from a distance. 

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