I began designing greetings cards in 2010, from my studio in Uppermill, Greater Manchester.  With a love of hand-drawn and painted illustration, in a world of ever more computerised images.  I love how greetings cards are these little affordable art works that go out into the world, connecting people and spreading cheer.  My joyful designs have won awards, sold in big stores like Paperchase and Selfridges, and prestigious galleries such as The Whitechapel and The Tate, and a host of beautiful and unique independent gift boutiques. Sustainability has always been at the core of my values; my cards have always been made in the UK, and have always been printed on recycled card and packaged in biodegradable sleeves.  This year we began planting a tree for every order placed.

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Painting always underpinned my art practice, but over the past few years I have found the space in my life to bring my paintings into the centre. In 2022, I was awarded an Arts Council DYCP grant to develop my painting practice and I expanded a body of work that I have begun exhibiting, exploring mark-making with the aim of capturing something of the spirit of these passing moments. 

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Often painting outdoors, I lean into the space between abstract and realist painting, trying to find ways to paint impossible things; moments of life with light falling in incredible ways across ever changing landscapes, like memories and perceptions fading in and out of focus.

 

I am always experimenting, with materials and ideas.  I love how making art connects us to that quiet space inside ourselves, and then connects us to each other as the work spreads out into the world.  Alongside my paintings and illustrations I have run community art workshops, spent ten years writing songs and playing guitar with my DIY girl band, helped to create a free art school in Salford, home educated my children, worked on collaborative art projects with poets, performers, musicians, children and ecologists, and always returned to the hills where I live.  There is something about this place that feeds into my heart and my work.

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Last year I worked with a group of local artists to establish the first ever Saddleworth Art Trail, a celebration of art being made in our area through a series of small exhibitions in homes, studios, community halls, churches, cafes and bars.  It was a great success which we hope to make an annual event.

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Recent Exhibitions

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2024, Braemar Gallery

2024, Home MCR, Open Exhibition

2024, Arteria Gallery, Lancaster

2024, Saddleworth Art Trail

2023, Cupola Gallery, Sheffield

2023 Fair Trader, Holmfirth

2023 Between Land and Love, Uppermill

 

Education

Islington Mill Art Academy, a peer-led art school in Salford, 2008-2010

Interactive Arts, 1st Class BA(hons), Manchester Metropolitan University, 2002-2005

BTEC National Diploma, Art Foundation Course, Leeds College of Art, 2001-2002

 

 

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