Exhibitions and Belper Art Trail

On the 30th April and 1st May I’m taking part in the 10th Belper Art Trail. I will be based in Bluebird Care on Bridge Street and will be sharing the space with 2 other artists. It’s always a lovely family event so I’m hoping the sun will shine for the May Day bank holiday.

Also coming up I’m exhibiting at the Lally Gallery at Erewash Museum in July and August so I’m working on some new paintings that are relevant to the area. I decided to really push myself with some large artwork and am creating 2 large 1x1.5 metre acrylic paintings both with the birds-eye view but painted in acrylic. It’s really challenging but I’m enjoying being pushed outside my comfort zone!

I have also been accepted to exhibit at Buxton museum next year so as soon as these paintings are finished I will be starting new ones for that exhibition and again I will be making some large ones to add some impact.

I am still loving doing my watercolour and ink paintings and have created some new smaller pieces for Cromford Studio and Gallery for their exhibition celebrating Derbyshire which opens mid May.

So lots keeping me busy at the moment but I love this. I love painting and making art and I love seeing people smile when they look at it ❤️

A little painting of Matlock Bath

Sadler Gate Derby

Little model buildings

I’ve recently been making these little cardboard building models. I love creating tiny things and houses and buildings fascinate me so I had a go at making little 3D creations. They are now available to buy at £7.99 per kit and you can get the Scarthin Books model directly from the real life actual Scarthin Bookshop! Cromford Studio and Gallery will also have a selection of my model kits to buy and you can of course by directly from me just send me a message.
you will also be able to buy them directly from me at Belper Arts Trail in Derbyshire on the 1st and 2nd of May alongside other artworks so do come along and see me there 😊

Welcome 2021

As we are well into 2021 now I thought I would add some of the personalised and commissioned paintings that I made towards the end of last year. Each picture is completely unique and I get as much information as I can about the people and places that are going to be included. I update regularly during the creative process. I’m really enjoying the diversity that I’m getting from doing this kind of work and I find the challenge of trying capture personalities extremely satisfying.

October 2020

Well 2020 has been quite a challenge! There have been times when painting has been the very last thing on my mind and I have thought I might never paint again, then painting has been my therapy, it has been my distraction and my purpose at times and I am so grateful to have it.

I started the year with the news I had been selected to paint a huge Ram as part of the Derby Ram Trail. I got working on it in early March and managed to get his head completed just before Lockdown. The trail has now been moved to 2021 and I hope to get working on it again early next year.

Mid summer I was commissioned by the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site to illustrate a booklet for children to help them understand the history and importance of this beautiful area. It was fun, challenging and educational to me, I feel like I know so much more about the Derwent Valley. The booklet can be seen here on the children’s guide pages.

I have also been painting coastal illustrations, these have been my therapy. I firstly painted Looe, we went there on holiday last year and the place is so beautiful I knew I wanted to paint it at some point. I also painted Polperro which we also visited last year on a long coastal path walk from Looe. I cant wait to be able to go on holiday again free from restrictions and fear but in the mean time I will keep on painting happy memories.

Artist Residency at Cape Cornwall

I have just come back from a weeks stay at the beautiful Brisons Veor at Cape Cornwall. It is the most beautiful location being set at the base of the cape at Priests Cove and is built in what used to be the pump house of the tin mine that used to stand at the sight. Opening the door in the morning to open views of the sea was so magical and we even saw a pod of dolphins swim by on our last day.

I spent my time there trying to capture the movement and beauty of my surroundings. I needed to work much more quickly than I am used to and enjoyed working outdoors and directly from nature. I feel so inspired from my stay, Cornwall is stunningly beautiful and I feel full of ideas from my stay there. 

Brisons Veor, Cape Cornwall

The view from the cottage.

Cape Cornwall

Some of my sketches made during my stay.

Family / house portraits

Something that I have started to venture into is house portraits where I also include the family on the mount of the painting or sometimes added within the painting. I include cars, pets, anything really that means something to the person I'm painting for.

I really enjoy creating personal and meaningful pictures for people and they are always 'one offs ' which makes them even more special.

Illustration Masters Finished!

This past year I have been studying my MA illustration at Nottingham Trent University. I have always said I would love to illustrate a children's book but never really done anything about it. Then I saw this course and thought I would go for it. I have used this year to study every aspect of children's book illustration and have managed to produce 4 finished stories which I am absolutely thrilled about. The course has been full on, none stop working but I have loved every minute. I have met some lovely people and learnt that I can produce far more work than I thought possible so there's no excuses for me now!

So in celebration of the MA students there will be an MA show at Bonington Gallery in Nottingham. The preview is on Tuesday 17th July 5-8pm everyone is welcome just register on the NTU website: 

https://www.ntu.ac.uk/c/mastered?utm_campaign=mastered

Derbyshire Open Arts

Next weekend, Saturday 26th, Sunday 27th and Monday 28th is Derbyshire Open Arts weekend. 

I will be taking part this year and will be at Pitch Blue, Newbridge Works, Coldwell St, Wirksworth, Matlock DE4 4FB and will be there each day between 10-5.

I will be taking along a selection of paintings, prints, cards and postcards and would also love to discuss your possible commission ideas and options.

Pitchblue, Wirksworth

February 2018

Loops its been a while but here goes, a new post for the news section of my website :)

I'm very pleased to tell you that health wise all is really good, I continue to go for regular checks but so far all is well, I am so lucky. 

Anyway the cancer did me a favour in some ways, in particular it made me realise how very short life is and to enjoy every moment and it is with that in mind that I decided to take a MA in Illustration. I have always wanted to make children's books and this is what I am focussing on during the course. Whether I end up doing it or not doesn't really matter, i am giving it a go instead of talking about it and that feels good. 

At the end of May I will be taking part in Derbyshire Open Arts (details to follow). 

I do intend to update regularly so keep checking back here for latest news of exhibitions and events. 

Thank you ! X

July 2016

At the end of this month I will be having my 8th and last chemotherapy in my round of treatment and I cannot wait! It has been a challenge to say the least but a challenge that thousands of people go through every day. I know that I'm nowhere near finished, I've got radiotherapy and an operation to go through yet but chemotherapy has felt like the biggest hurdle both physically and psychologically. The fact that one minute you're happily tootling along in life and the next you're whisked into this parallel world of hospitals, appointments and illness is the strangest thing. It all happens so quickly that its all a bit of a blur, I think I've actually only just get my head around it all and I was diagnosed at the end of February.

During the good weeks I have been able to do some painting, this has been a joy and so therapeutic. I am able to totally focus on the painting and forget everything else which doesn't happen very often! Throughout July I have my work exhibited at Cromford Studio and Gallery where I am artist of the month. The gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday 10-5 and is a really special little place full to bursting with lovely art and crafts.

Matlock Bath.

August 2015

This month my work is being exhibited at Shipley Park Visitor Centre in Derbyshire from Sunday 9th to Saturday 22nd August. 

As well as prints and paintings you can also see a selection of my paper mâché models there all of which are available to purchase. 

Character drawings

July commission

I just thought I would post this recent commission that I've completed for a lovely family from the Netherlands. They have spent the last year in Derbyshire and will be leaving again soon and wanted a painting to capture all of their memories of their time here. It was an absolute pleasure to do as they had so many ideas of what they would like in it and I really hope it brings back some lovely memories when they look at it in years to come :) 

July 2015

I thought I would show you a few different things that I've been doing lately (although if you follow me on facebook you may already know). I have recently started to try using oil paints, they have always terrified me but seeing others using them and enjoying them so much pushed me into giving it a go.

I completed my first ever oil painting this month and really enjoyed it. It is of course of St Ives and is currently available to view and buy at Studio 61 at Lea in Derbyshire.

I have also taken part in the Buxton Spa Prize again but this year I have used oil paints to complete my painting, unfortunately I picked the worst weekend in June weather-wise to stay at Buxton but still managed to get out on 'The Slopes', my allocated spot, on the Sunday morning and spend a few hours out in the open painting.

I have also had some good news in that my entry to the Derbyshire Open Art Competition achieved Commended in this years competition. You can go and see this exhibition until 11th September at Buxton Museum and Gallery.

St Ives oil painting

Early Sunday Morning at the Slopes, Buxton

Matlock Bath now at the Derbyshire Open Art Competition, Buxton

June 2015

I have my work exhibited at a few different venues at the moment.

My exhibition at DEDA dance centre in Derby is on until July 25th.

I am also artist of the month at Cromford Studio and Gallery and Studio 61 at Lea near Matlock.

My local paintings are on show at Cromford while my coastal seaside paintings are with Karina at Studio 61, both are beautiful galleries full to the brim with local artists and designers work and are well worth a visit especially now that summer is here as they are in such a beautiful part of Derbyshire.

bamaluz beach at Studio 61

Scarthin at Cromford studio and gallery

March 2015

I really can't believe it's March already. I've been making lots of art recently, I am now being represented by Fletcher Gate Gallery in Nottingham and so have been making lots of little paintings of scenes around Nottingham including Nottingham Castle and the 'trip to Jerusalem' , I've really enjoyed exploring the beautiful streets of Nottingham.

The 'Trip to Jarusalem' pub, Nottingham   

St Mary's Church, Nottingham

Colwick Hall, Nottingham

October 2014

Throughout November I will have my work on show in a solo exhibition at the Cathedral Centre in Derby.

This exhibition will include lots of new paintings and is focused on Derby, in particular the views from the top of the Cathedral.

Earlier in the year I did the Cathedral Tower climb, 189 steps that lead you to the most amazing views of Derby and miles around (well worth the effort if you get the chance).

The exhibition will be open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays and runs from Saturday 1st  until Friday 27th November.

September 2014

Next weekend, the 13th & 14th September I will be taking part in Melbourne Festival Art Trail.

i will be at Crane & Walton Solicitors (upstairs at) Williams Yard, Derby Road DE73 8FE. 

Its a really lovely event to take part in but even better to visit as there is such a variety of art on show and you get to visit some amazing venues. 

I've also got some work going into an exhibition at the Crypt Gallery St Ives at the end of the month as part of the Association of British Niave Artists annual exhibition. You can find out more at their website:  www.britishnaives.co.uk

This month I will hopefully be     cnsentrating on getting some work done for my solo exhibition at Derby Cathedral Centre in November, time is flying by this year!

One of the paintings being exhibited at St Ives from Saturday 27th September until Thursday 9th October 2014

May 2014

Here are some little paintings I've done of Cromford, Derbyshire which will soon be seen hanging in Cromford studio and art gallery.

And here's a painting of St ives that will be going to Karina at Studio 61.

January 2014

I am very proud to say that I am now a member of The Association of British Naïve Artists.

I am proud because I share the honour with some amazing artists.

You can take a look at the website here: http://www.britishnaives.co.uk

I will be exhibiting as part of the group at The Crypt Gallery in St Ives, Cornwall from Saturday 27th September to Friday 10th October.

Im starting to fill up my diary with events for the coming year. So far the highlights for me include mysecond solo exhibition at Derby Cathedral Centre in November. I plan to work through the year on a series of brand new paintings featuring Derby and Derbyshire scenes.
Here's a little sneaky peek at a painting of Chester I've done for my daughters birthday.