When I left school I never thought I would become a Wildlife Artist. My first year as a student at Wolverhampton College of Art was spent being taught illustration by Norman Thelwell before he left college to become a full time cartoonist and illustrator.
Commercial Design, ( now Graphic Design) was my ultimate ambition and after five intensive years of study l obtained my degree. I worked in advertising as a designer and illustrator in Walsall, Staffordshire for three years and then a move to Derbyshire brought another change of artistic direction. It led me to experiment with textiles, collages, and feather bird pictures. I then progressed to painting landscapes and portraiture using my favourite medium of watercolour and gouache.
Some years later after a move to West Wales, l became totally absorbed in wildlife. I saw pheasants, partridges, grouse, woodcock, snipe and many other birds in their natural habitats. I was so fascinated that I began paint them. Red Kites have also become a passion of mine and living close to a feeding station l am able to watch these magnificent birds as they swoop to feed only a few feet away from the hide. Wherever we go my husband Richard always has his camera with him to capture images that occur far too quickly to commit to memory. These photographs are an invaluable reference for my work.
l usually work on more than one painting at a time, always if using oils, as each picture has to dry a little before being built up. I exhibit my paintings occasionally but because the majority of my work is commissioned, it leaves me with little time to produce work for exhibitions. Being a Wildlife Artist is my passion in life and I hope you enjoy viewing my paintings.
The Welsh Game Fair held at Gelli Aur,Llandeilo near Carmarthen.
I was invited to exhibit in the Craft Marquee this year and as the weekend progressed l met many people who were interested in my Wildlife paintings and commissioned work. I took along examples of animal portraiture and the comments were very favourable.
During the two days there and despite the heavy rain during the first day, l sold paintings that made all the planning and long hours well worth while.