One of my earliest memories was when I was five, painting at school in the conservatory. It was raining heavily outside and I was covered in paint. I remember the feeling of being completely absorbed in my painting. I didn’t want to stop painting all day, I was so happy. Now I hear my students describe that same feeling of being immersed in their work and how time has no relevance when they are painting. This is why I believe art is so beneficial to a person’s physical and mental wellbeing. I hope that people joining my art classes experience that feeling of happiness when they create art.

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After school I went to Bourneville Art College and studied a BTEC National Diploma in Art and Design, then went on to complete a BA Honours in Art and Related Arts at University in Chichester. After University I worked at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery for the Community Arts Team. It was when I worked as a Community Artist for Mind I realised I loved teaching groups of people. I experienced how art can be therapeutic, and help people’s physical and mental wellbeing. I worked in many social care settings: Artist in Residence at Heartlands Hospital working with patients on the wards and creating murals and art works for some of the wards. I worked as an Adult Education Tutor for Birmingham City Council and qualified in Further Education Teaching. This led onto becoming an Art Lecturer, Personal Tutor and Mentor at Hereward College, a college for students with disabilities. I gained so many skills over the years of working with different groups of people of varying abilities and ages, in a variety of settings. In my classes now I try to bring the same care, attention and accessibility to each individual who attends.

 

After having my two beautiful children I decided to be a full time Artist and Tutor. The classes I teach have grown very popular and are taught over three different venues. I teach all media in the lessons, and love sharing my passion for all the different effects you can create. Through my demonstrations I guide and inspire everyone to try new techniques and build their knowledge and experience of art. I help people to recognise what subjects and materials they love to work with. In each lesson a bit of magic happens when I see the artists grow in confidence and produce fantastic art. There is a great supportive energy in my classes. When people come together to produce art it creates a feeling of motivation and inspiration. This is something that is harder to get when painting at home alone. 

 

The classes give everyone the chance to share ideas, develop their work, inspire and encourage each other. They are friendly and sociable, and people have formed great friendships through the years. We have yearly exhibitions at the Core Courtyard Gallery in Solihull where we celebrate our achievements. Many of my students have gone on to selling their art and have started their own business.

 

I hope to meet you soon in one of the classes!