My big break came when Francine Stock, famous arts journalist, and former Chairman of the Tate Members, commissioned me to paint her parents. Francine was from my college in Oxford, Jesus, and had seen a painting on Linked In, that I had done of my parents on their wedding day. So many people were missing their living parents during the pandemic. I couldn’t go and see my own parents, ever, but I could attempt to bring them back to life in a painting. She kindly said how moving she found the painting.
About me
Once I started talking to my language students, I was exhilarated by how many wanted to commission me. Diane Lennan, former Director of the Barbican Art Gallery, and the Serpentine Art Gallery immediately commissioned me to paint her parents, and then an art dealer from the Royal Academy got in touch with me. Shortly after that, several of my paintings were selected for an online exhibition curated by the Painter Stainer’s Livery Company.
I started painting seriously by bringing my parents back to life in a picture. Although I always enjoyed art, it wasn’t until the pandemic, that I really took the opportunity to study in detail. I am a language teacher by profession and have many adult students who are a fantastic community. Being locked down was a marvellous opportunity to paint every day, and by using fantastic tutorials on You tube, and building up a whole library of painting videos. I threw myself into it. I posted regularly on Facebook and Linked In and was overjoyed by the reaction.
I have had many, many commissions now, and you can read some of the testimonials from clients below, and look at the paintings in the gallery pages.
Get in touch
If you would like to discuss a commission without obligation, or find out more about my art, please complete the form here and give brief details.
I was invited to display my art at an art day organised by Simona Scotto. Then Six of my paintings were recently chosen for an exhibition organised by the Worshipful Company of World traders, with a wonderful team, with a speech by the Lady Mayoress, Elisabeth Mainelli, hosted at Goodenough Hall. I will be posting photos and details in my blog. So keep an eye on it