As life became busier with work and a young family, my art paused for several years. It wasn’t until my late twenties, after a period of illness, that my dear late mother gently encouraged me to return to painting as part of my rehabilitation. It was the best advice she could have given me, and I remain deeply grateful to her for guiding me back to the practice that continues to shape my life.

My roots also reach back to the rugged coastline of County Donegal, Ireland. My mother was born at The Point in Termon, the last house on the road, where land meets the Atlantic with a kind of fierce tenderness. My grandfather came from the nearby island of Inishkerragh (Inis Caorach, “Sheep Island”), once inhabited and now left to the elements. During the three years I lived in Donegal myself, I visited the island many times, gathering photographs and impressions that continue to inspire my paintings today.

A significant chapter in my development as an artist was studying botanical painting at Kew Gardens. Each morning, before the gates opened to the public, I explored the remarkable grounds, the Palm House, and the Waterlily House in peaceful solitude. Those early hours surrounded by rare plants and shifting light deepened my appreciation for botanical detail and continue to influence the precision and sensitivity in my work.

I am also an ardent gardener with a passion for the charm and abundance of the cottage‑garden style. Flowers — especially roses — are a constant source of inspiration, and their forms, colours, and fleeting beauty appear throughout my paintings.

Lately, many of my paintings have been inspired by the beautiful landscapes and historic locations around Northamptonshire, including Lamport Hall & Gardens, Rockingham Castle & Gardens, and the enchanting Bluebell Woods at Coton Manor. These places offer endless colour, atmosphere, and seasonal magic, enriching my work with a strong sense of place.

Alongside my botanical and landscape paintings, I create portraits and pet portraits in pastel, acrylic, oils, and watercolour. I warmly welcome commissions — including portraits, pets, wedding flower arrangements, and locations of special meaning — and I take great care to capture the individuality, emotion, and personal stories behind each piece.

Whether I am painting a delicate bloom, a beloved pet, or a windswept coastline, my aim is always the same: to honour the beauty found in the familiar and the fleeting. Through watercolour, pastel, acrylic, and oils, I seek to preserve moments of connection — to land, to family, and to the living world that surrounds us.