An artist since first I could hold a pencil
Animal lover since… forever
Having lived with animals all my life, observed them, played with them and fallen in love with them, it seems only natural that I should have taken to painting them. As a keen horsewoman, I learned to use sensitive and communicative riding techniques and can only wonder at the exceptional perception they display when treated respect and sensitivity. I try to apply that same sensitivity to my paintings. From my experience of painting horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, pigs, sheep… and many more, you can feel confident that the portrait of your pet and companion will accurately reflect their essence and spirit.
Nature
My relationship with the natural world is more than skin deep. It’s emotional too and beautiful scenes draw me in, urging me to reveal their secrets in paint or pencil.
On both sides of The Channel
Having lived in France for the last 25 years, I now share my time between the UK and south west France. The latter of which is where I was able to develop my skills and widen my horizon artistically, taking part in competitions and running workshops. For the last 20 years, my commission work has flourished. Initially, this mostly included painting the stunning architecture of the Dordogne but, once installed near to the Pyrenees, that changed somewhat… I found myself involved with groups rescuing distressed or abandoned animals. From this, once people discovered I painted animals, I started to get regular requests to paint their pets.
Specialising in Pastel Drawings
It’s true, I can’t deny it, I’m Passionate about drawing with Pastels!
Pastels are a tactile and vibrant medium, this is why I love them so much. I get to touch my subject while I create. It’s like stroking the animals while I paint and gives me a feeling of real connection. Pastels can have a hard or buttery quality requiring a bold swipe or a whisper touch! Pastel paintings glow with an intensely luminous colour and rich velvety texture. This is because pastel powder is pure pigment!
So, is it pastel drawing or pastel painting? I don’t really think it matters how pastel is categorised but exploring this topic is perhaps useful because it invites consideration of the properties of the medium and how to use it. Some people’s definition of drawing centres on the very immediate and tactile scenario of putting dry marks on a surface with the hand whilst painting involves a liquid medium applied with (usually but not always) a paintbrush. Well, for me its both - I often wet my pastel “underpainting” which gives depth to the end result, then I apply my pastel sticks and oh… I might find my self rubbing pastel onto my finger and “stroking” the colour onto the surface. Drawing or painting?… for me, it's both!
The surface I use is a sanded, acid free paper. All my pastel paintings are fixed at the end to hold everything in place.
Your drawing is delivered to you highly protected but should, nevertheless, be handled carefully until framed.
Pastel paintings/drawings need to be framed under glass with or without a mount but always in a way that the glass is not touching the surface. I am happy to provide advice on this.
Other mediums:
Sometimes, pastels aren’t the most appropriate medium. For example if you prefer an unframed finish or much smaller format, then I am equally skilled at using acrylics or watercolour.
Association of Animal Artists
The home of Animal Artists! I'm proud to announce that I'm a Member of the Association of Animal Artists.