Statement

I have been painting and drawing since I was a child and it is something I have always felt passionate about.

I started my professional training at Barnsley College in 1992 and in 1996 gained a BA Hons degree in Fine Art, accredited by Leeds University. For the next 2 years I was an art tutor for Rotherham and Barnsley Colleges.

I opened Unit 2 Gallery in Penistone the following year and held exciting exhibitions from local artists including John McPake, Anne Genner Crawford, Sheila Spencer, Susan Evans, the Alive & Stitching group and a one man show of my own works, titled 'Absent Friends'. The gallery was also a successful participant in Open Up Sheffield, the South Yorkshire Open Studios Event.

In 2002 I moved to Cannon Hall at Cawthorne and opened Parkside Gallery, which for 3yrs showed continually changing original art and crafts by local artists. I then went on to teach for Barnsley Education Dept., Adult Learning, for whom I still work.

Since graduating I have continued to create my own work. I have shown work at the Cooper Gallery, and entered the South Yorkshire Open a number of times - in 1996 I received a Commendation for a piece titled 'Absent Friends'.

I have also been selected to exhibit during Holmfirth Art Week and at Rotherham Art Gallery. I have been invited to demonstrate for the following Art Societies - Barnsley Art Society [three times], Rotherham Art Society [twice], Doncaster Art Society [twice], Huddersfield Art Society, Silkstone WI, Penistone & District WI and Halifax Art Society.

You can see me in action on the Halifax Courier Web page, but the smock puts pounds on me, ha! ha!, so please just look at the paintings!.

I joined Pennine Artists three years ago and have shown work at 'Art at the Altar' Christmas exhibition each year since.