What’s your favourite piece?
Oh gosh, that’s really, really hard. From ‘The Moosters’ it’s
the cow with a pearl earring because I really enjoyed doing
that. I really enjoyed painting the reflection in the earring
and the texture of the fabric - it was a real challenge.
What’s your home actually like? Is it quite neutral like a
blank canvas?
Yes, it’s completely different to my studio, which is actually
in the garden. In the house, my eldest son has a mural on
his wall which I painted. It’s a race track and full of bright
colours. My little one has got a big cow in his room. The
kitchen has a big iron candleholder which I commissioned
from a wonderful artist and I have a huge wall painted red
which looks beautiful with the glow of the candles. And in
my downstairs toilet I actually have handprints from
Who inspires you now?
everyone who has ever visited my home.
I want to prove myself to my late Nan because she did
What made you think of that?
so much for me and looked after me. I was an only child
My friend told me that when she was America she did that
and I just drew all the time because that was my passion
somewhere. So my guests come into the house and I paint
but she always encouraged me to just be myself and follow
their hands, then they put them on the wall and write a
my dreams.
message underneath. It is lovely and when I started doing
In terms of inspiration, it may be a scrap of paper I’ve
it my son, Elliot, was only about 8 months old and so
saved from a furnishing magazine or the disgruntled look
I lifted him up and let him do a footprint on the ceiling.
cows give me as I pass them in the field that morning that
Now everyone else who comes in wants to do a footprint
inspires me to paint. I find myself constantly sourcing
on the ceiling!
images, taking photographs and scribbling down ideas
Do you think Art has been affected by the recession or is Art
which I may use that day or in a year’s time.
now a safer investment?
Where did the “cows” theme come from?
I really don’t know. But looking at the Times 100 Rich List
After college I worked as a freelance artist in the
last year, the top 4 people were actually Artists.
commercial sector for about 12 years. My work included
What’s the most expensive piece that you’ve sold to date?
intricate mural and abstract paintings for businesses, pubs
I don’t know. I sell my paintings to the publishing company
and hotels, so I was often on building sites painting
and then they sell them through the Gallery so I honestly
ceilings and things like that.
don’t know.
Then when I fell pregnant I thought ‘right it’s probably
I do remember when I started though, in fact when I was
about time I stop this now and pursue a Gallery career’.
pregnant and trying to pursue the gallery career,
My main influences were Dali and Picasso paintings and
I remember walking in the back of Watford shopping
I also remember when I was very, very pregnant walking
centre to a gallery and the lady owner said “oh we’ll take
across the fields going “right, come on its time you get out
some pieces but only on sale or return”.
now” - he was 10 days late. I also wanted to paint
something completely different for the nursery -
“And I remember lugging three original pieces and a car
something that was comforting - something that he could
seat with a baby in it to the back of the gallery and I then
smile to and say goodnight to. And it worked!
had to ask security guard which door I had to go through
You have a great sense of humour with your work…
because they weren’t numbered. Then when I got there she
Well, I didn’t want to paint pictures that people would
didn’t even offer me a cup of tea. I think the pieces sold for
think “oh well that picture’s turquoise and I have a
about £500.
turquoise cushion and so that will go in my living room…”
What advice do you have for new upcoming artists?
I wanted paintings to evoke emotion and uplift people. Keep going. Seriously, keep on keeping on.
LIFE - 11
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