Artist Educator for the community and family programmes

Initially, I trained as an actor at the Central School of Speech and Drama, but my love for art has always run parallel to this, and Art gradually took over from acting. Since then, I have worked as an Artist, Curator and Teacher, and have been commissioned to make scenic work for films and private and commercial murals. I have a diploma in Therapeutic Arts from the Institute For Arts In Therapy & Education and currently work as a freelance artist with Creative Minds.

Can you tell us about your creative practice?

I paint a lot of animal portraits on commission usually from photographs. Choosing the right image is important and the transference of that image to canvas or paper requires diligence, observation and detail. Equally important is the pattern or background chosen - it's relevance, symbolism and its relationship to the subject are extremely important to me. Lastly, the importance of the eyes, getting the face right. And then it’s just hard graft! My personal work is more carefree and looser, using wire and plaster bandage.

What inspires you to create art?

I hope this isn't just a list of artists I admire, but I do use books and images a lot for inspiration, so, William Kentridge for his breadth of vision, humour and the sheer excitement of looking at his work. Edouard Manet, Paula Rego, Nicola Hicks, the sculptures of Marisol Escobar and more recently Lubna Chowdhary for her glorious shapes and colours in ceramics.

Where is your favourite place to feel inspired at Watts Gallery?

Can I have two?

The Chapel is quite the most inspiring building, I am constantly amazed at its beauty and what a feat of design and creation. I love the shape, the animals and birds, the symbols and hieroglyphs ... I love the way it stands on the hillside surrounded by the flowers and trees. It feels as though it’s always been there, as though it just emerged out of the ground thousands of years ago. Knowing that the whole community made this together gives it a sort of remarkable resonance - even writing this makes my heartbeat slightly faster.

My close second is the Physical Energy Sculpture just rearing its head out of the studio door ... so unexpected dynamic and thrilling!