Inspired by terrific trio of artists

I’m both an artist and an art educator so I get the best of both worlds!

I get to draw and paint a myriad of subjects in any media that either my patrons or I desire. Having enjoyed creating those works of art I know that when they are sold they will give years of pleasure to their new owners. Then I also get to see my students blossom and progress as they learn how to create their own unique works of art.

Two of the three artists who have inspired me the most are Leonardo and Monet and I loved the years I lived within a few hours’ drive of both their last homes now opened in homage to their incredible works of art. As diverse as these artists are they both set out to capture the effects of light and shade in their artwork. Leonardo was a maestro of chiaroscuro and Monet thought that capturing light was more important than the subject of his paintings. The play of light and shade and how it creates a 3D quality to the images on a 2D surface as well as the changing colours at different times of day is something by which I, too, am fascinated.

My third inspirational artist was Peter Birch. He was the incredible artist and teacher behind the private art school where I studied as a teenager. He gave me the confidence that I could draw or paint anything and as a result I have never got pigeon-holed into using one medium or focusing on one subject area.

I’m just as happy painting landscapes in acrylics, or still life in watercolours, drawing pet portraits in pastel, or ballerinas in pencil . . . not forgetting people and portraits, cityscapes, seascapes, birds and wildlife. In other words, I draw and paint anything that inspires me or my patrons in whichever medium I think will depict it the best!

Thanks to that inspirational artist and teacher, I’m still drawing and painting, and still loving it 48 years later. I’m also still using his teaching methods to help my students to realise that they, too, really CAN draw and paint.

Discovering why those methods worked became my first degree dissertation topic and then a life-long interest.

In a nutshell, it is switching you from the logical, time-centred, stereotypical thinking processes of the left hemisphere of the brain across to the creative, individual, timelessness of the right hemisphere’s thinking processes. In this mode, time can fly or stand still, it is as relaxing as it is stimulating, and you become so much more aware of the colours, shapes and patterns of the world around you.

I love operating in right hemisphere mode, and I love seeing students switch from left to right – you can actually see it in the marks they are making in their art work. It is fascinating!!

I teach face-to-face painting classes and have a tutored class for more experienced artists in West Lancashire in north west England. You can also book private, one-to-one or small group, tutorial sessions with me, or I can design bespoke corporate events using art to de-stress your workforce.

So, welcome to my world! Have a look around and discover how art can change your life in so many wonderful ways

Art can change your life

Unique gifts for

special people

Learn to draw    and paint

Relax and de-stress

Inspirational surroundings

Gearing up for two exhibitions with my students

Art can help busy, stressed workforces come together to look for new ways to solve problems as well as find relaxation and build teamwork!

Ask any artist and they will tell you that art is one of the finest stress-busters because when we draw or paint we can switch off the stresses of everyday life and switch over to a relaxing, rejuvenating, creative reverie. 'The Art of Stress-busting' takes that switch over into a workplace setting designing bespoke corporate events to inspire creativity, problem-solving and teamwork.

Fun exercises enable participants to leave behind the stresses of thinking and working in the left hemisphere of the brain and access the creative, blue-sky, big-picture thinking processes of the right hemisphere.

Working in this changed perspective offers new and creative ways to look for solutions to problems, patterns or issues in working situations.

Contact me via the message block below to find out more about how 'The Art of Stress-busting' could help your workforce.

Discover how art CAN relieve stress in the workplace