Many things inspire me to paint, especially the effects of light and atmosphere. Landscapes, still life and animals are favourite themes, but whatever I am painting my aim is to capture the essence of my subject. I paint mainly in oils, but also work in acrylic, mixed media, fine art coloured pencil, watercolour pencils, and graphite pencil. My art education includes studies with the Open College of the Arts, several painting courses, and life painting and drawing classes. My work has won a number of local and national awards, and is held in private collections in the UK, France and America. I have completed many commissioned portraits, mainly of animals, including several which have been from repeat clients. I also accept landscape commissions. I run a local art group in Surrey, do demonstrations and workshops, and welcome the opportunity to contribute and help other artists as I have been helped in the past. For me the beauty of art is that it is a never ending journey, on which I am continually learning and growing.