From Shutter Clicks to Brush Strokes

Born in the 60’s on the outskirts of Liverpool, with a pencil in my hand and a heart full of dreams.
I discovered my love for art at an early age. As a 9 year old child, I won an art award from the Liverpool Echo newspaper however, growing up in the 60’s/70’s without support for an art career (It wasn’t seen as a ‘proper’ job!) I channelled my creativity, at the age of 15 into the world of photography.
From childhood and into adulthood I would lose myself in sketchbooks, filling page after page with fantastical creatures and dreamy landscapes. But life had other plans. The lack of encouragement dampened my artistic flame, and I put aside my pencils, leaving art college barely before I started.
Yet, fate has a way of nudging us back onto our chosen paths. I found solace behind the lens of a camera. Photography became my refuge, my artistic career and a language through which I spoke to the world. I honed my skills, capturing fleeting moments, raw emotions, and the beauty hidden in everyday scenes.
Fifteen years ago, the art world welcomed me again. My photography won 2 awards and I even started painting again for a short time they graced gallery walls.
But life, ever unpredictable, threw a curveball. A marriage ended so eventually I stepped away from the spotlight, trading my artist’s palette for a corporate desk. The nine-to-five grind became my canvas, and spreadsheets replaced sketches.
Yet, the muse never truly abandoned me. It whispered in the rustle of leaves, the play of light on city streets, and the vivid dreams that visited my sleep. And so, with lots of encouragement from my lovely new(ish!) husband, courage and determination, I very recently bid farewell to the corporate world. I dusted off my neglected brushes, mixed fresh pigments, and returned to the studio.
Today, I stand at the crossroads of past and present. My hands remember the weight of a camera, but now they also crave the texture of canvas. They paint with light and shadow, capturing not just what the eye sees, but this time, it’s what the soul feels.
In this new chapter, I’m diving headfirst into my art. I create with abandon, unburdened by doubts or expectations. My journey is a testament to resilience, a reminder that passion can be rekindled.