The Dark Hedges

I feel quite privileged to have painted the Dark Hedges, given that storm Gertrude tore through them last month and changed their silhouette forever.

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The Dark Hedges was always a popular tourist attraction in Antrim, Northern Ireland, now made famous after featuring in the 'Game of Thrones' TV series. The Beech tree's were originally planted by the Stuart family to line the avenue leading to their estate. Some 200 yrs later these trees are both mysterious and dramatically beautiful.

Possibly one of the most photographed sites in Ireland, its 'mood' changing with the seasons. The combination of light and shadow at the Dark Hedges, as well as snow, mist or haze (depending on the time of year), draws both amateur and professional photographers keen to capture a compelling image, and evidently film producers too!

                                  A scene from the series 'Game of Thrones'

Over the decades, the branches grew over the road and became entangled and intertwined, creating a covered passageway. Originally, there were about 150 trees, but time has
taken its toll and now there are only 90 remaining.

It was quite a challenge painting this, as I literally couldn't see the wood for the trees! I had to mask off areas of the photo I was working from and almost paint the picture in sections. Any necessity for me to wear glasses now, would be as a result of this painting! It's moving to a new venue next month, and although it's for sale, I think my heart would break just a little at the thought of it no longer being in my possession.

Painted Paradise

I've just completed my first commissions for 2016 - three oil paintings of Horse-Shoe Bay in Bermuda, made famous by its pink sand. The beach was formed from coral, and when wet, the sand in places looks blood-red. Having visited this beach on a family holiday, my client asked for three paintings of differing views of the bay. The colours were absolutely amazing, so painting these was like being in my own little tropical paradise! Hope these bring some sunshine into your lives at this grey time of year, enjoy!!

Colour to beat the Blues!

2015 seems to be flying as we find ourselves already a week into February. Despite the cold temperatures we have had to endure, I love sitting in my studio bathed in sunlight and I've had much to do to keep my mind off my cold feet!

December brought in a rush of pre-Christmas orders and I spent the first weeks of January completing commissions that hadn't been a priority. My Landscape commission was presented to a delighted recipient - the subject was very personal to him, so hopefully he'll get many hours of enjoyment from it.

I'm continuing to work in oils inbetween portrait commissions as I'm working towards an exhibition in September, and just love colour! Inspired by the SkyArts TV series 'Portrait Artist of the Year' I plan to start experimenting with a few painted portraits to find a style and technique that I like.

A Most Productive Summer

Well we’re well into Autumn now with the days getting steadily shorter, and our beautiful summer well over. The summer flew with so many projects to get done. I had quite a few portrait commissions which were mostly a real pleasure to do, with a few that proved quite challenging.

I had two group portraits, one with three children and one with a family of four. These are always trickier, as the composition has to be considered, as well as the proportions, particularly when you’re working from different sized photos with different lighting.

Pretty as a Picture

February was a busy month given that I decided to re-introduce my favourite theme: portraiture. I always loved drawing, and portraiture always provided an additional challenge. I have only ever done a handful of colour portraits (mostly in oil), so I just stayed with monochrome on these 'practice' ones. I was happy with the outcome, and found that all the illustration work has definitely helped 'de-rust' my drawing skills. It must be six years since I did a portrait, and still find it very satisfying. The challenge always is not only to get a likeness, but to really bring the subject to 'life'. I've tried a few alternate views with my own kids - photographing them unknowingly, in an effort to get a more natural pose.


My Friday Group is going very well. We've mostly gone back to basics, and stuck to still-life, concentrating on composition, drawing skills using negative spacing, and  complimentary colour. I'm really enjoying it and it's amazing what you learn from their differing styles. It's also a time I get to set aside purely for art, and nothing else. Time is still a resource I don't have enough of!

A space of my own

Here we are almost two weeks into the New Year and already the projects are stock-piling! On a positive note, I have acquired a truly wonderful studio space. 'Claimed' may be a better term for the acquisition, as it was previously used as a dumping ground/storage space, but I staked my claim, and my fabulous husband made it happen over the Christmas holidays. It's bright and spacious and my first adult art class commences next friday. I have two willing guinea-pigs on which I get to try out my teaching skills...so we'll see how we fair. Classes aside, I have plenty of projects of my own that will ensure my studio gets well used, and my two girls have already staked their claim on a chair and easel each, so no doubt I'll have plenty of company!

'Marvellous Miro' Now Available!

The trailer for my second childrens picture-book.

Fall in love with Miro in this vibrantly illustrated, heart-warming tale. Get your hands on it NOW! Now available to purchase online Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk