What inspires you?
People, the sky, the sea, other artists, images in magazines, music, books, Ted talks
Why do you paint?
I have to, it’s how I communicate, how I make sense of the world and what happens to me. It also gives me thrill. I love getting the person in a portrait- that moment when the essence of a person emerges is just amazing. And then when I show it to the person themselves and see the look on their face- that’s why I do it.
Have you always painted?
It’s always a big part of my life but I had a massive turning point in my life about 12 years ago and ever since then I haven’t put the brush down.
Does your painting carry a message?
I think the message is about connection. Connection to your true self, connection to source- that invisible super power that takes your breath away when we stand in front of a sunset, or face the ocean- that’s where it is for me.
Why do you only paint women?
I need to relate to who I am painting, get under their skin, really understand who they are- that’s when the magic happens. I can only really do that with women. I also think women have a lot of confidence issues- often around their body, the capability in work, or just as a person. I help a woman see how beautiful she really is- help her see herself differently- more positively and that change in self image has a massive effect on everything else in her life.
Who are your favourite artists?
Frida Kahlo is my biggest inspiration. I have painted her a lot as you may have noticed in my gallery. She is my mentor and for a while was my surrogate mother. I admire her not just because of her art but probably more because of what she went through and who she became because of it. Frida captivates so many of us for so many reasons.
I also love the colours of Matisse, the dreaminess of Chagall, the brush work of Van Gogh, the daubs of paint Monet used to create huge master pieces and the women painted by Klimt. I am just getting to know contemporary artists like Marlene Dumas and Jenny Saville.
Previous Exhibitions and Achievements
Tenovus Artist of the Year 2020-2021 – See first project here
Inkspot Studio Show Nov 2014
Waterloo Tea Gardens, Pen-y-lan Cardiff February 2017
y Gallerie Caerffili December 2017- Open Art Competition
Waterloo Tea, Cardiff City Centre January 2018
Victoria Fearn July 2018 Summer Exhibition
g39 Made in Roath Open October 2019
Llanover Hall Womens Art Exhibition 2021