Upcoming Exhibitions and Exciting News

Next week 10 - 13 March A collection of my latest paintings will be represented by

Artfully Sorted stand B13 at the Affordable Art Fair in the Evolution Centre

If you would like complimentary tickets to the fair, please contact Charissa at Artfully Sorted directly. Thank you

PV Tickets

I am hugely excited to have been invited to paint LIVE at the fair opening night, Wednesday 9th March during the preview evening from 5-7pm Come and see!

Online Art Auction

Fundraising for St Georges Hospital, Garrat Park School and NAEF

(Northwood African Education Foundation)

I am delighted to support these charities by donating these two paintings. Register your bid by clicking on the links to the side.

BID HERE

BID HERE

My next BIG EXHIBITION will be this summer

4th - 10th August at The Aldeburgh Gallery 143 High St, Aldeburgh IP15 5AN

I will have over fifty new works for sale. Put the dates in your diary now!

Inspiration, Exhibitions & the Wedlake Bell Award

I've been marvelling at the concept of inspiration. Where does it come from? How does it start? What are the origins? How do the seeds of ideas get planted, germinate in the darkness and come through to give us an opportunity to respond and experience for ourselves?

The gift of creativity. We have so many ideas, but what is it that makes us settle on one idea and run with it... Ideas ‘grow’ wings, and ‘fly’ us into unexpected territories. The gift of creativity is something so intangible. It's something so important in our makeup. I looked up the word inspiration to find that it simply means to breathe in.

Such a simple concept, but it makes sense: When we breathe in, we breathe in oxygen, which keeps us alive. As an artist surviving on inspiration, I ‘breathe in’ my surroundings and make space for a fresh new perspective. Notice what's in front of you, and focus purely on that.

In early spring, I was invited to paint at Stampwell farm in Beaconsfield. On arrival, I saw the ancient plum orchard before me, thick with spring blossoms and exuding a heady seasonal aroma. On closer inspection the plum trees were alive with swarms of insects pollinating the nectar from the blossoms. The sound of the bird song was overpowering. I found a spot amongst the plum trees to set up my easel. I decided to paint as large as I could to not only experience what was before me, but to respond to it on a large surface. It felt like I was conducting an orchestra, big brush in my hand, and lots of paint.

I was able to ‘breathe in’ an environment, which in turn inspired me to respond in paint on canvas and to enjoy the colours and the light in front of me.

As I set about to capture the light coming through the trees, and the mass of blossom, I could feel myself being lifted by the whole experience as my response to the environment was being recorded on canvas.

I spent the next two weeks painting a collection of works not only of the plum orchards but the pregnant ewes. It felt like a place that was so full of hope and progress. It was just what I needed at that time, which otherwise had been so full of uncertainty.

I was invited to exhibit my work in one of the barns. It was a wonderful exhibition enabling me to invite friends, family and clients to come to the farm and experience the place for themselves. There were donkeys to ride, chickens to cuddle and an extremely friendly flock of sheep! I wanted everyone to see and be inspired in the same way that I had, by being on the farm.

This September I was invited to exhibit my largest painting from this collection at the Chelsea Art Society exhibition on the Kings Road. It was an exclusive exhibition for non members sponsored by the law firm Wedlake Bell. The Wedlake Bell award would be presented to one of the artists exhibiting.

My painting was given an excellent spot in the window of the exhibition. The gallery was full of promise and colour. At the preview party I was overwhelmed to receive the Wedlake Bell award by the Wedlake Bell team themselves. It was wonderful to be given the opportunity to share with their team the essence of my inspiration and I'm absolutely thrilled that my painting will hang in their London office.

I hope that my painting of these ancient plum orchards will create an atmosphere of calm and beauty, inviting the viewer to a peaceful space full of promise and light.

Artist Gail Reid Kindly provided a live link to my exhibition so that people could join us remotely. the recording can be viewed here: Film of exhibition

In the 37 minute film I will guide you around the show, describing my process and inspiration for each painting. Enjoy!

Studio Update 2021

Exhibition Invitation

Lately I have become glued to the weather forecast! If it's sunny, I'll plan to dash out with my paints, and if rainy to finish off paintings in the warmth of my kitchen.

It's been a huge relief to come out of the third lockdown having felt so stuck in limbo, quite literally clock watching and marking time whilst painting the clocktower of my local church. At least there I found inspiration and ultimately the building blocks for exploration and creativity.

Now out and about again, I was invited by the Revd Canon Frog Orr-Ewing to paint in the ancient fruit tree orchards at Stampwell Farm. It really is an incredible place and exactly what I needed. It's so lovely in fact, that I will be having a celebratory exhibition there over the weekend of 10th-11th July 2021

I encourage you to come and join me!

Exhibition information here

The exhibition will highlight this extraordinary year with paintings from my London rooftop and surroundings, and the awakening of spring at Stampwell Farm as we all head back into a new normal.

I have felt so encouraged and supported over this last year by friends and followers on social media, as they have joined me on this journey in paint and I would adore to share this exhibition and beautiful place. Come and see, and if you feel like it, bring your paints!