About the artist

I live and work in St Helens, Merseyside. After a career in admin and finance I broke free and taught myself to paint in 2002. I was fortunate then to be able to take a year off from earning a living to follow my dream of becoming an artist.

Determined to make the most of the chance I'd been given to change my life, I devoured all the library books I could get my hands on and then I practised, practised, practised.

Using pencil and charcoal at "Life" classes helped improve my drawing ability and anatomical awareness, to the extent I found I could capture likenesses well. I then had to conquer colour and paints so I stuck with what I knew - figures - and the very first painting I produced was a portrait in oils. It took me 4 months and 17 attempts - yes 17! But I had learned so much by the time it was finished that it gave me the confidence to pursue painting as a career.

Painting is now my life and I work in my studio every day, except when I'm teaching or participating in exhibitions.

I hope you'll visit the site regularly as I'll frequently be adding new works and updates.