Profile

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Fine artist combining my two great passions -  painting and gardening

I trained  at Cardiff College of Art, gaining a National Diploma in Design specialising in Fine Art oils and watercolours. I was awarded the Ruth Anthony Prize for Life Drawing as a second-year student.
 
Some years later I was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Open University specialising in The History of Art and Architecture. This degree and other research formed the basis of my lectures for the Extra-Mural Department at University of Wales, Cardiff where I lectured on Art History and Appreciation for ten years. 

Throughout my career I have worked as a freelance artist specialising in landscape, seascape and architectural drawings and paintings.

An important area of my work is flower painting, many of my "models" grow in my garden which is a great help in understanding their form and growth habits. My flower paintings are not strictly botanical but are heavily influenced by Art Nouveau in their design.

More recentlly I have started to study and paint British wildlife in its natural habitat as part of my general interest in the environment and global warming. I want to help raise awareness of the serious issues we are facing. 

My commissions have centred around these subjects, often combining  them. I have been privileged to provide architectural illustrations for local history books, Penarth Town Trails and other publications. Until recently I edited and provided the illustrations for the Penarth Civic Society quarterly newsletter, which I initiated for the Society in 1979. I was the first woman to be elected Chairman of the Society and was immensely proud to be made an Honorary Member.

I am passionate about helping other artists to develop their own art skills, both technically and emotionally. I taught drawing, watercolours and oils for Adult Education classes for forty years. I am still in touch with some of my old students, many of whom are still painting.

The garden is my other passion. I completely redesigned it in 1999 and have opened it to the public continuously since then as part of the Penarth Open Garden Trail in aid of The Children's Society. I was also priveleged to open my garden for five years with The National Garden Scheme (The Yellow Book) during this period too. Although my garden is small I like a bit of drama so there are obelisks and some large feature plants.

I am an organic gardener and a keen fruit and vegetable grower. I enjoy producing some of my own seasonal food. The garden actively supports our bird and insect wildlife too, an essential element of organic gardening. There is great joy in feeding  the bees and birds.
   
In 2014 I got together with two other artists to establish an art shop and gallery, Artisans Corner, Glebe Street, Penarth, selling our own original artwork, prints and cards. We have a talented resident artisan jeweller, Sandra James, too. 

In late 2021 I suffered a stroke but managed to sustain my interest in Artisans Corner with the generous help and support of colleagues, family and friends. I am recovering and actively painting again but have reduced my involvement in Artisans Corner to a more manageable level.

I am still able to accept commissions, the most recent in 2024, and will shortly be starting a new one for an existing client.

I have a brilliant support team who have helped me recover and I have no intention of retiring. I am so grateful for all the hepl and kindness I am experiencing.