A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME
I have drawn from a very early age (even on the fly pages of my fathers' valuable first editions - much to his horror) and following a childhood in Cornwall and education in Oxford, I trained as a textile designer at Falmouth School of Art. I worked in the textile industry for the United Turkey Red Company, and later designed kaftans and shirts for Mr Fish of Clifford Street, as part of the 1960s ‘Peacock Revolution’ in men’s fashion design. I began silk painting in the late 1970s as an extension of my textile background, the brilliant dye colours suiting my highly decorative style, which typically features animals, birds and mythical beasts. In the 1980s, I began printmaking and studied at Hereford College of Art, West Dean College and the Sidney Nolan Trust.
​
​
​
My printmaking techniques include etching, wood engraving, lino printing and my favoured medium of collagraph. This is the technique of adding a variety of materials to a card or metal base, which is then inked and printed in either intaglio or relief. The card is often cut in order to obtain the desired effects. Assiduous cleaning of the plate before printing is essential and the most time-consuming part of the process. I draw inspiration from extensive travels in the UK and Europe, an interest in the history of decoration, and of course, the nature around me. My illustrative work reflects my love of pattern, texture and fluidity of line.
​
Subject matter is often derived from classic legends and sometimes sparked by a poem or a fairy tale, a chance remark or simply ‘out of the blue’. My work typically features natural forms; animals, birds, mythical beasts, and humour where appropriate. I am a founder member of the Hay Makers, a co-operative gallery of local designer makers in the world famous book town of Hay-on-Wye, which has now been in business for over 30 years. I have exhibited widely and have work in private collections in Europe, Canada, the USA and Australia. I also tutor local collagraph and book arts workshops, and my work is included in the following publications, 'The Elegant Fowl, 'The Artful Hare', 'Aspects of Herefordshire' and 'Pawprints'.
