A little art quote here by author
I began to draw and paint from an early age and often I would sit outside in nature to draw and paint. I began painting predominantly with water colour then later with acrylic. At art college I explored a wide range of art techniques and materials including sculpture, stone and metal and printmaking, lithography and etching and art installation. I explored abstract and figurative art, and I was particularly interested in representing energy, colour, atmosphere, feeling and movement.
Throughout my journey through art, I have at times wanted to capture an essence of a person, place or natural object and this is an area I wish to develop further. I have filled sketchbooks with quick sketches observing dancers and ink painting of water and swimmers in water. I developed these sketches in paintings and sculpture.
When I paint I use my observation of a subject and my imagination blending the external world with my internal imaginary world and so the art can be both figurative and abstract, I like to try to capture the fluidity between both the internal and external worlds, and between different elements in a picture, for instance the dialogue between rock and sea, between an emotion and a face, between a dream and a landscape.
I have always wanted to help other people with art as a medium to be able to transcend challenges and difficult situations. This has led me to study and practice Art Therapy. I have worked as an Art Therapist in the NHS for many years and also support Arts in Health by leading exhibitions and working with artists to create murals in NHS hospital sites to uplift spaces and enhance wellbeing, tranquillity and inspiration. The process of art making and the final artwork are both important and of value to me. The process of art making is like an active form of mindfulness in that it can be absorbing and calming, expressive and releasing.
Let me know if you find any of my artworks or ideas about art interesting, relaxing, uplifting or inspiring.