The Story Teller Artist

Inspiration to paint comes from many sources. I am a self taught artist and began my self imposed apprenticeship by copying everything in sight, the main focus was to reproduce miniatures and portraits. I was unable to produce original work nor did I even know how to...

What are Artist Books?

I read this quote somewhere, ' Artist Books are works of art that utilize the form of a book - using structure or function of the book as inspiration.' I wanted and needed a change from working on my tactile paintings and liked the idea of creating Artist Books out of...

What is an Artist or Writers Residency

I have had the benefit of enjoying an artist residencies for both art and writing. A residency gives you a new space to work in, precious time to focus without interruption from the real world. In my case I have chosen to work in isolation and these experiences have...

How did I write a Novel

I am a professional artist and this year I published my first novel THE PAINTING IN ROOM 48 (available Amazon). I did not plan the story, the idea evolved over a period of time. You often read about how you should write about what you know and it seems so obvious...

How to take part in an Art Trail

All over the country from early summer, Artists and Makers open up their studios to the public, show their work and share the art experience and see art in all its forms. The artist become part of the art community and visitors feel welcome and enjoying seeing the...

South Pole, record breaker Lewis Clarke

The 'I AM NOT WHO YOU THINK I AM' collection of tactile portraits includes the remarkable Lewis Clarke. ( to be shown at Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre. Walton on Thames 17th March to 28th March) To create a collection of portraits I wanted to include a cross section of...

Mr Keith Richards, his library and his portrait

Mr Keith Richards is part of my collection of Tactile Portraits ' I AM NOT WHO YOU THINK I AM'. The exhibition will be seen at River House Barn Art Centre, Walton on Thames 17th - 28th Feb. I have to say first and foremost that I am not a great fan of the Rolling...

Kevin Carey, Chair RNIB, Author, Poet.

A few years ago I attended the 'In Touch with Art' International Conference  organised by St. Dunstans, held at the V & A. This also gave me an opportunity to showcase my tactile paintings. In the distance, I saw a man with long grey hair and a full grey beard. ...

Pamela Howard – Portrait of a Scenographer

Professor Pamela Howard OBE is a Scenographer, Director, Educator, Curator and  Producer. A Scenographer is a visual artist who makes theatre performances. Pamela specialises in 20th century little known works and her work takes her around the world. She is the author...

Nicole MacKenzie,the swimmer, the portriat.

I don't normally read the Sports pages of the Portsmouth Evening News, however, a photo of a young girl holding up a number of gold medals for swimming attracted my attention.. The article told of the achievements of 13 year old Nicole Mackenzie, after she had a...

Mark Covell, The Boat Project and a Portrait

My Tactile Portrait collection was beginning to build up and I found my next sitter right on my doorstep in Emsworth. I read in the Portsmouth Evening News  about Mark Covell. The Technical Advisor involved in the building of a yacht called THE BOAT PROJECT. ...

MARK ORMROD AND HIS PORTRAIT

I read an article in the Portsmouth Evening News about a young man called Mark Ormrod. He had written a book called Man Down, received an award for it at the Royal Marine Barracks in Portsmouth. What was so amazing that all this took place after he became the first...

SPITFIRE SISTERS Portrait Mary Ellis

My search to find  new people to include in my tactile portrait collection took nearly  two years. One evening I watched a programme called The Spitfire sisters. It told the story of the women who flew all sorts of aircraft during the war from factory to the Air Force...