Where better to start than at the beginning …. well as far back as my mind allows me to recall my first "arty memory." I’m just six, seven maybe? I’m sitting on our lounge floor at home using Mum’s charcoal drawing sticks. Fortunately, we had a dark coloured carpet long overdue replacement and Mum wasn't too precious about it! After much scribbling and concentration, a grey and smudgy character appeared on the white paper. I don’t remember too much about the actual drawing but I do remember my Mum looking at it proudly and then whisking off down the road with it clutched firmly in her hand to show our neighbour. I remember feeling really happy as I was pretty rubbish at most things. From then on, drawing and painting was my number one hobby. Who needed toys if you had something to draw with?
Of course, there were plenty of other childhood inspirations too. My Mum taking oil painting classes and finishing her pieces off at home and apparently, my Dad came top in art at school but only because his class were all so bad, his teacher put their names in a hat and Dad's name got drawn out first - and that was probably permissible in the 1940's/1950's!!
We also had “Vision On” and “Take Hart” on telly (well before the internet) both presented by the much loved and talented Tony Hart. I loved watching “The Gallery” section. “Paint Along with Nancy” used to be on at lunch times too. Our school was just up the road and I used to walk (well run) home during the lunch break. Nancy Kominsky always used brown undertones and gridlines to produce a finished painting in minutes! It amazed me how something so dull transformed into something so colourful and she made it look so easy.
Books also offered a vast assortment of illustrative artwork to pour over. Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone’s fairytale illustrations were an absolute marvel to me. By the age of ten I had also discovered a love of horses and a love of Norman Thelwell's illustrations. The fascination and love of art stayed with me as the years went on.
It's easy to look back and regret years doing something I didn’t really didn't enjoy but I don’t think it is productive or necessary to dwell. Life is what it is and hindsight a wonderful thing. I certainly wasn’t in a position back then to give up a regular wage. Anyway, it wasn’t all bad. One company I worked for discovered I had an “arty side” and asked me to illustrate their monthly newsletter. I spent more time drawing than typing so that was a bonus and the money I earned allowed me to buy art materials and dabble. Best of both worlds I guess. I booked art classes and even plucked up the courage to enter my first local exhibition. Yayyy - my painting sold!My current style slowly began to emerge and I was lucky enough to sell a few more paintings. Things kind of snowballed from there. I had the wonderful opportunity to sell my work via Bespoke in Lichfield and the Courtyard Fine Art Lounge in Lichfield.
So here we are in February 2024 with the launch of my new website and a world of possibilities lying ahead. I’m really excited to see where the journey takes me next and what paintings develop in the future. I have a whole host of ideas. It’s been a journey of ups and downs but I don’t think I would have changed a thing. When I look back at the little girl with the charcoal sticks, I’m so glad I continued to draw and paint.
Before I sign off (and if you have made it this far in reading it I am honoured) I must thank my wonderful family for supporting me and for allowing this website to happen. Big thanks also to Jo whose advice and computer skills have been invaluable. Of course, very special thanks also to my lovely customers, old and new. I can’t wait to start sharing my new work.
There's lots to look forward to!