ABOUT ME

Join me behind the scenes to find out more ...

Beginnings ...

Art has always been my first love. As a child, art was an oasis of tranquillity, transporting me to other places in my imagination.

I discovered the power of art at an early age. A childhood memory is being given a set of art prints. One in particular captivated me - it was a landscape showing a hillside scattered with ‘sugar-cube’ houses, poppies in the fields under a blue sky, the azure sea in the distance. Where was this place? I looked at it often and daydreamed of escaping there.

Now here I am with one of those 'sugar cube' houses of my own on the beautiful Bodrum peninsula!

Do you find that art can transport you to other places too?

My background ...

After graduating with an honours degree in printed textile design, I worked in London design studios before setting up a freelance business in Glasgow. I sold designs worldwide for interior and fashion textiles. Pattern is still an important element in my work.

In my late twenties, I had a chance opportunity to deliver art workshops to disengaged teenagers. To my surprise, I discovered a passion for teaching - and that I had a way with difficult teenagers! I realised I could connect with others through art and that art could be an escape from everyday life.

After this experience, I decided to become an art teacher, and had a long career working in secondary schools. Later, I worked in qualifications development and co-authored two textbooks for the Scottish Art and Design curriculum.

During this time, I kept up my own art practice, attending workshops, learning different skills from established artists, and evolving my style and technique.

After many years of helping others develop their creativity, I am now focused on making my own art.

Isn't it amazing how our surroundings affect us? When I lived in Scotland, my colour palette was neutral and subdued. Here, on the Bodrum peninsula, my colours are much more vibrant.

Have you ever thought about how artwork can connect us to our memories and desires and lift our mood?

My Process ...

My process involves building up layers of colour and texture using paint and collage. The collage elements are often collected on my travels, such as decorative papers, tickets, and printed text.

Gradually, my compositions emerge though a constant balancing of colour and pattern.

Settings are often infused with sunlight, creating the effect of dissolving details and reducing the scene to shapes, colours, patterns, and textures, with decorative details.

Themes and Inspiration ...

The French word ‘trouvaille’ describes the theme of my work - unexpected magical moments we experience on our travels - perhaps a captivating vista, a hidden alley, a quirky cafe, a charming shop facade, a display of textiles, or a beautiful piece of pottery.

My compositions have a sense of realism but are personal interpretations that capture the feeling of a place, and the beauty and personal symbolism of objects and botanical subjects.

Using mixed-media, I explore colours, patterns, shapes, and textures found in cityscapes, landscapes, streets, buildings, architectural details, and objects.

My pieces evoke memories and inspire wanderlust by capturing the beauty in the ordinary and overlooked, scenes we pass by but don’t always ‘see’.

INSPIRED BY TÜRKİYE

‧₊˚ I create artwork that conveys the feeling of living in this magical place. ˚₊‧

The Aegean landscape and wildflowers are a constant source of inspiration, along with travel to other parts of Türkiye. Seasonal changes affect my subjects and colour palette, from the intense hazy heat of the summer, to the cool bright air of the winter months.

SHOP THE PLACES AND SPACES COLLECTION →

Bodrum Art Collective

I am a member of the Bodrum Art Collective, a multinational group of six artists living on the Bodrum peninsula. The group includes Ali Haji, Johanna den Dunnen, Sue Dunlop, Annie Onursan, Sarah Carter, and me.

Look our for our pop ups and exhibitions.