My Story
Where it all began...
I was born in Skipton, North Yorkshire, England. As a child and teenager I always loved creating and often birthday and christmas presents would reflect my interest - from cameras to flower presses. As I progressed through school I was lucky enough to have teachers who encouraged my artistic talents and decided to continue studying art and design technology for A-levels and beyond.
Early Art Studies...
From my early sketchbooks you can see a love and skill in observational drawings - this is a practise I often return to when developing ideas for new projects. During my A-levels I studied Charles Rennie Mackintosh and created a large painting of a bicycle chain in the style of Victor Vasarely. With regular visits to the local college to complete life drawings I decided to continue my studies with a BTec Diploma and later a BAHons Degree in Fine Art.
Further Studies...
As part of my Diploma I learnt the discipline needed to develop bodies of work, and while I continued to practise my drawing skills, many of my final pieces were paintings on canvas using acrylic. During my degree in Lincoln, England, I completed modules in printmaking, drawing, painting, sculpture, photography and video. I explored installation art and created large charcoal drawings. My final show was comprised of pen drawings of hands that incorporated ideas of identity and belonging.
Art in the workplace...
After completing my degree I entered the world of work: care assistant, retail assistant, nursery assistant and finally trained to be a primary teacher. During this time (and into my travels) I created 3 large murals and transformed a backpackers with my painting skills. The first mural was to depict key moments in the past hundred years to commemorate the new millennium (2000). The second was designed by children at the school I taught and depicted fairy tale images. The third was outside the orphanage (I volunteered at) in Kenya - the story of Noah's Ark. The Backpackers (in Taupō) included benches, the TV room, sign writing and the laundry in the style of the logo. Of these projects only the laundry room still exists today! I have learnt that art can be temporary and that this is ok.
Travel...
Once I began teaching I decided to save up to travel. I popped all my stuff in storage and planned 6 months, starting in Egypt, volunteering in Kenya and completing an overland trip to Cape Town. What I didn't realise was my 6 months would turn into forever! I enjoyed my 30th Birthday at the Pyramids of Giza and then headed for Kitale, Kenya. Here I worked as a teacher, artist and carer for 3 months - it became home for that time and I was sad to leave. I then embarked on camping in the wild on the overland trip from Kenya to Cape Town for 6 weeks. Once in Cape Town I decided I did not want to return to England and continued onwards to Australia where I worked near Sydney as a teacher in an ECE centre. After 9 months I explored the middle and east of Australia before visiting friends in Auckland, New Zealand. I carried on with my backpacking tour and landed at Blackcurrant Backpackers in Taupō. Here my journey pretty much ended - 11 years later I still tell folk I'm just on my way to South America!
Home - Aotearoa, New Zealand...
And so I had arrived and decided to stay. I registered my teaching and secured a job south of the Lake in Tūrangi. I later returned to teach at primary schools in Taupō. While living and working in the Lake Taupō region I have dabbled in art at various times. For a couple of years I showed and sold some work in Pihanga Gallery, Tūrangi and have completed 3 - 100 day projects. I have often found the day job has not allowed time for my work to progress and so 2023 was the year I decided to develop a body of work, as full time as possible. I now create art alongside part time teaching. Follow me on my Facebook or Instagram pages to join me on my journey.
