Tell us a little about what you make?
I’m a painter and printmaker. At college I studied music and art and taught art, craft and design technology for many years in a Middle School in Leamington Spa. On retiring my husband and I returned to Ceredigion, where I was born and grew up.
What inspires you and where do you find that inspiration?
Most of my paintings are mixed media, using whatever medium really which helps me to interpret my vision of the landscape around me, its history, literature and my childhood memories of growing up here. I love being creative and working in my studio continuing to explore and develop new skills. As Edward Hopper said ‘If you could say it in words there would be no reason to paint’ although I do often combine both. My prints are also inspired by the same themes, using lino, drypoint etching and collographs.
Tell us about your favourite medium.
I generally alternate between painting , drypoint etching and collographs.
What are your favourite and least favourite parts of being an artist or maker?
Escaping to the studio and being creative is a joy. The least favourite part for me is the frustration I feel when I have to follow or deal with other commitments and necessary household chores!
What does being a member of the Ceredigion Art and Craft Trail mean to you?
It helps me gain knowledge of other artists and makers in my area as well as letting others know about myself and my work.
How do you manage a work-life balance as an artist/maker?
I consider myself very lucky as since I retired from teaching and moved back to Llanfair Clydogau I have been able to commit more of my time to painting but other hobbies like my music and gardening do often encroach on my painting time.
What are you working on at the moment?
Mono-printing, drypoint and colographs are ongoing.My intention in the next few days is to return to exploring inks and watercolours once again.
How do you know when your work is finished?
Generally by pure instinct and experience possibly- one just knows - or sometimes doesn’t!! With printing you can go on forever developing and exploring in different ways.
What is the biggest challenge of being an artist/maker?
The biggest challenge for me is making choices between heading to my studio to create or getting house/ family commitments sorted, weeding my garden or planting up the poly tunnel. There are always choices and challenges.My head has to be in the right place and clear of pressures in order to create.
What advice would you give to new artists or makers at the start of their creative journey?
To be an artist needs discipline and commitment, staying curious and always open to learning new techniques to develop your skills and knowledge which will provide you with the freedom to choose how you wish to express yourself. It should be challenging but rewarding and always fun and to remember, as Picasso wrote ‘Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life’.