I'm a freelance illustrator working from my studio at home in West Sussex.
I spent 6 years at Art College, starting with a foundation course where I developed a love for illustration. I then completed a BTEC National Diploma in Graphic Design and Illustration, leading onto a degree course in Graphic Design and Illustration at the University of Humberside in Hull, from which I graduated in 1995 with a 2:1 Honours.
After graduating, I was offered a marketing and product development opportunity within the gift industry. I worked for two of the UK’s leading candle and home fragrance manufacturers, designing packaging, researching trends, sourcing raw materials and developing new product ranges. I also managed and attended many greetings and gift trade shows, which I found very inspiring. When I started a family I decided it was time to work freelance from home and pursue my career as an illustrator.
I've now been illustrating for the greetings card market since 2011 and have licensed many images to publishers in the UK and overseas. My Christmas work has been very popular especially within the US market and my work has been found in many UK high street stores including Waitrose, Barnardos and WHSmith where my Christmas design ended up being the number one selling greetings card in 2013.
I've also been continuously designing and developing my range of illustrated names for children, and sell framed art prints of them worldwide here via my Etsy shop. The business has been very successful and keeps on growing year on year. I also undertake private commissions, many of which are pet portraits.
I primarily work traditionally with acrylic paint. I love to use the dry brush acrylic technique as I love the textures that can be built up, layer upon layer. I often finish my work off digitally adding finishing touches in Photoshop.
I mainly draw inspiration from decorative objects and pattern, I love to produce colourful quirky and whimsical imagery. I'm inspired by painterly decorative styles with a prominent use of pattern.
I hope you enjoy browsing through my shop and hope to hear from you sometime.