Originally from Lewes in East Sussex, I have been passionate about art for as long as I can remember. At the age of twelve, I had the remarkable opportunity to exhibit an oil painting alongside Duncan Grant – the celebrated Bloomsbury Group artist – at a local exhibition. That early experience was formative and gave me the confidence to pursue a life in art.
By fifteen, I had completed my A-Level in Art and began studying Creative Embroidery at Brighton Technical College, which at the time was affiliated with Goldsmiths, University of London. It was during this period that I developed a fascination with Oriental, Egyptian, and Classical Greek art and mythology – themes that began to find their way into both my embroidery and painting.
Following the birth of my eldest daughter, my family and I moved to Provence in the south of France, seeking a quieter, more grounded way of life. We settled in the rural village of Rustrel – a place of extraordinary light, colour, and natural beauty. Surrounded by ochre cliffs, olive groves, and lavender fields, I found fresh inspiration and began using embroidery as a means of interpreting the Provençal landscape. After several successful exhibitions, I began receiving commissions for creative embroidery and textile artwork, which soon became a regular part of my practice.
After many fulfilling years in France, I returned to Sussex and settled in the vibrant coastal city of Brighton and Hove. From 1997 to 2002, I worked with the Brighton-based fashion designer Martin Kidman, contributing to a number of his collections. One such piece – a multicoloured outfit from his Autumn/Winter 2001–2002 collection – is now on permanent display at Brighton Museum. While fashion design is no longer my primary focus, I still occasionally take on bespoke projects, including embroidered bags and garments.
Returning to Sussex allowed me to reconnect with the South Downs – a landscape that has always stirred my imagination. Since childhood, I have been captivated by its ever-changing light, rich biodiversity, and quiet, expansive beauty. The announcement in 2009 that the South Downs would become a National Park felt deeply significant. The park was officially designated in March 2010, and soon after I began work on a long-form project titled Textile Landscapes of the South Downs National Park. This series celebrates the unique spirit of the Downs and was exhibited in 2013 as part of a solo exhibition at The Sunbury Embroidery Gallery in West London.
In addition to textile work and embroidery, I also enjoy painting in watercolour – especially scenes of Brighton and Hove, its historic architecture, green parks, and shifting seascapes.
Thank you for visiting my website. If you have any questions about my work or would like to get in touch, I would be delighted to hear from you. You can also follow my latest work on Instagram and Facebook.