I grew up in a countryside village in Nottinghamshire where I had a ‘proper’ childhood full of tree climbing, mud pies, surrounded by nature and not a digital gadget in sight (or actually, even invented).
I come from creative stock, my maternal grandfather, Alan Lumsden, is an established printmaker and there are a number of other working artists in the family. My own creative passion was always nurtured and I was encouraged to draw, paint, sculpt or build. My parents never threw out any of my works, meaning that two decades on I am surrounded by what critics will call “early examples”…
At school I achieved an A* at GCSE art (and a rather low B grade in home economics meaning I can scrape together a delicious but slightly abstract Victoria sponge). I knew I wasn’t cut out to do typical academic subjects and went on to complete a National Diploma Level 3 with a triple distinction at Doncaster College. I would have loved to continue my work at university, however life doesn’t always give you the direct route and sometimes you have to wade through the high grass to find the path again.
Since leaving college I have continued to work on my own projects as well as taking commissions. I have written and illustrated three children’s books and produced a variety of commissioned illustrations and paintings in a range of media. I work in watercolour, acrylic, and oil but can also produce simpler line illustrations and other work that can be adapted on graphic software.
A popular topic for commissions is my bespoke portraits for aerial gymnasts. I can also offer other styles and topics such as dance, martial arts or life modelling.
If you wish to enquire about a commission please contact me using the links at the top of the page.