Every painting has a story...
…and it all begins with the background
Salvage, vintage, well-loved, pre-loved, abandoned, all my substrates, the back grounds I work on, are reclaimed wood
Wood fascinates me in all its. forms. I deeply respect this living thing, the vital role it holds in our eco-system and in human history.
The natural beauty of wood and the age-old human marks on each piece have their story to tell. Worn, weathered, patterned and textured these captivate me, firing my imagination and an irresistible urge to create.
Tenderly restored, only the very best quality wood is chosen for artwork. In preparing the wood it begins to reveal its secrets and character; I start to get a feel for the adventure we will go on together creating new art.
My work explores the relationship between people and the land — one that is constant, dynamic, and deeply felt. The textures and layers of reclaimed wood speak to the ways we are shaped by the Earth, and how we continue to shape it in return.
“Everything has the energy of its making inside it”
Andy Goldsworthy
And the inside story...
I studied Art and History at the University of Nottingham (B.Ed Hons, 1992). After nearly three decades as an educational leader — completing an MA and raising a family of four — I returned to my first passion of making art full-time in 2019.
I mostly work in an outdoor studio giving abundant fresh air and daylight. Recently I have developed ‘articulated’ paintings, comprising moving elements that invite viewers to directly engage in the work. In my current studio practice, I am exploring material histories to create dynamic substrates and sculptural forms by stitching, weaving and splicing wood together.
This has led to national recognition, including finalist for the Isaac Newton Institute Sci-Art Award (2025) and longlisted for the VAO Artist of the Year Award (2024, 2025). I’m currently Artist in Residence at Loughborough University’s School of Design and Creative Arts, expanding my research into sustainable practice and material storytelling.
I’ve exhibited in solo and group shows across the UK — in London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Cardiff, Buxton, Bath, Lincolnshire and Sheffield — and I’m an affiliate member of Banks Mill Studios, the Land Art Agency and the Gallery Climate Coalition.
My work, is collected in the UK, Europe, Australia and the USA, including a number of privately commissioned projects. Pieces available through the Derby Heritage Centre, the Sheffield Millennium Gallery and my online portfolio.
Heckington Windmill
Artist in Residence
In 2024–25 I was resident Artist at Heckington, working in the shadow of the world’s only eight-sailed windmill. The place itself became my starting point—an old technology built from wind and wood, still turning today. My work there explored sustainability, community, and how human invention sits alongside the natural world. I was interested in how this historic way of harnessing renewable energy can speak to the challenges we face now, linking heritage with the need for more sustainable futures.
While at Heckington, I made a series of works directly influenced by the windmill and its environment. Using reclaimed wood, mixed media, and archival material, I explored movement, balance, and the turning of cycles. The work was rooted in the history of the site, connecting place, community, and sustainable energy.
Nestled in the Lincolnshire countryside, this Grade I listed windmill, built in 1830 with five sails, was repaired with eight sails after a storm in 1890 using parts from a local Boston mill. Now fully restored, it features an award-winning Visitor Centre, Tea Room, Brewery, gardens, bakehouse, and museum - perfect for a day out.
Whispers on the wind
Exhibition (Oct - Dec 2024)
PREVIOUS EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS
2025
'Beneath the Veil (Group show)' 3 Oct - 1 November 2025
'Tarpey Gallery Open 2025' 30 August - 19 October 2025
'MUSIC FOR THE SENSES' 7 July - 31 August
'LOUGHBOROUGH OPEN EXHIBITION 2025' 26 July - 27 August
'NEW MILLS FESTIVAL' 12 - 28 September
'MELBOURNE FESTIVAL' 20 - 21 September
‘ANOMALOUS DIFFUSION’ FINALIST Isaac Newton Institute, Cambridge University, Sci-art Award.
‘AN ABSTRACT ADVENTURE’ (Group Show) Badger in the Wall Gallery.
‘INSIDE/OUTSIDE’ (Group Show) Cupola Contemporary Art.
DERBYSHIRE OPEN ARTS, (Open Studios) THE PUMP ROOM, Buxton.
‘HABITATS’ (Group Show) Cupola Contemporary Art.
100×100 (Group Show) Bob Cat Gallery, Putney London.
NOTTINGHAM BOOK ARTS FESTIVAL (Touring Group Show) Nottingham City Libraries.
‘UNDER ICE’ (Group Show), 54 THE GALLERY, Mayfair, London.
UNDER THE BED SALE (Group Show/sale) Cupola Contemporary Art.
2024
‘JOYFUL’ (Group Show) Cupola Contemporary Art Gallery, Sheffield.
BANKS MILL OPEN STUDIOS, Derby.
‘DRAWN BY THE MOON’ (Group Show), 54 THE GALLERY, Mayfair, London.
*WHISPERS ON THE WIND (SOLO SHOW) HECKINGTON WINDMILL, Lincolnshire.
‘DROWNED EARTH’ (Group Show), 54 THE GALLERY, Mayfair, London.
MELBOURNE ART FESTIVAL, Art and Architecture Trail, Melbourne, Derbyshire.
*LOVE LETTERS FROM THE EARTH AGE (SOLO SHOW), BANKS MILL GALLERY, Derby.
UNDERCURRENTS, (Group Show) Cupola Contemporary Art Gallery, Sheffield.
KIRKSTALL ART TRAIL (Collaborative Group Show) ROGUE GALLERY PROJECT, Kirkstall.
HE BELONGS TO ME (Group Show) COLES GALLERY, Leeds.
ENGLAND IS A FOREST Curated by SMALL WORKS, Sluice [Vernacular] Expo, Colchester.
THE COMMONS, Brighton and SANB@NES Art Collaborative Project, Exhibition and Interactive workshops, Fringe Arts Bath.
ARTISANS UNCOVERED (Group Show) The Silk Mill, Derby.
DERBYSHIRE OPEN ARTS, (Open Studios) THE PUMP ROOM, Buxton.
MAKING A MARK – INFORMED BY INK (Group Show) SAAN 1 Gallery, Manchester.
MINATURES REVISITED (Group Show) Cupola Contemporary Art Gallery, Sheffield.
ARTISANS UNCOVERED (Group Show) The Wardwick, Derby Museum and Art Gallery.
UNDER THE BED SALE (Group Show/sale) Cupola Contemporary Art Gallery, Sheffield.
2021-23
DONINGTON MANOR FARMHOUSE, Castle Donington, Leics.
BANKS MILL OPEN STUDIOS, Derby.
CORNUCOPIA (Group Show), Cupola Contemporary Gallery, Sheffield.
A LETTER IN MIND (Group Show) Gallery Different, London.
BLAKE (Group Show), Central Square and Atrium, Leeds.
TRAILS (Group Show), Turner House Gallery, Cardiff.
SUMMER OPEN (Group Show), Sock Gallery, Loughborough.
POWER (Group Show), D31 Gallery, Doncaster.
DELPHIC (Group Show), Cupola Gallery, Sheffield.
TRESSPASS (Group Show), Bath Fringe Festival Bath.
DERBYSHIRE OPEN ARTS, Open Studios. Richmond Village, Aston in Trent, Derbyshire.
HOPE (Group Show), Doncaster Art Fair.
LIGHT (Group Show) The Open Gallery, Halifax.
20x20 VISION (Group Show) Blue House Yard Gallery, London.
INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN ARTISTS, (Group Show) GHT Gallery, Southampton.
Idle Valley Nature Reserve (Group Show).
ParkinsonArt (Group Show).
Lock-Down- Pop-Up (Duo Show).
