I am an artist based in North Yorkshire, working traditionally in watercolour, charcoal, and pastels. My work explores the human connection with the natural world through a deeply felt affinity for trees, I work in a way that reflects the beauty of trees and the effects of spending time with trees on the imagination.
I work with a s sense of belief that as people become more distant from the materiality of the natural world, they forget and underestimate the vital physical and mental benefits of spending time outdoors within the natural world.
I feels that the trees speak to us, and through their stories, we can learn how to come back to Earth's community. The trees tell us that if we work in collaboration with Earth's community, our artwork will grow like leaves, flowers and songs.
As Thomas Berry once said, ‘The universe is composed of subjects to be communed with, not objects to be exploited.’
I am an emerging illustrator and multidisciplinary artist currently studying for a BA in Illustration at York St John University (2022–present). My creative journey has been shaped by a rich and varied background, including decades as a folk musician performing both as a solo artist and in bands, as well as running a successful hand-painted furniture business, where I created pieces inspired by nature, folklore, and myth. Earlier in life, I studied Buddhism and meditation.
Previously I spent my time managing a charity shop for an environmental tree-planting organization where I gained experience in volunteer management, social media content design, project coordination, and creative display. Alongside raising a family, I have remained committed to environmental and community engagement through local grass-roots greening initiatives and art-based projects that celebrate nature and storytelling.
Exhibitions
2024 Guna Voices of Women at York City Screen (group exhibition)exhibited ‘The Forest Looks Back’ size A1 in charcoal
2024 St Johns 2nd Year Exhibition
2024 Micklegate Art Trail
2025 Degree Show at St John University, ‘Through the Trees’
2025 York open studios: exhibited ‘Through the Trees’ Project.
Art Projects
2024 ‘Talking to Trees’
Exploring the human connection with nature: charcoal, graphite, watercolour, pastel, and collage
2025 ‘Through the Trees’ research and work exploring human
ideas about nature
Community Projects
2012-2021 Tree planting charity work
Fundraising, board member, and physically planting, 1000s of trees locally and internationally to counter global warming and soil erosion
2012-2021 organizing and leading community get-togethers
Combating loneliness, and uniting local community members with poetry, chess and craft-making.
2019 Greening the Groves
Raising funds and managing the project which was to install a row of planters outside a row of shops central in the Groves area. It has been proven that green areas lower crime, and lower the need for NHS services
2021-2024 The Foss Fairy trail
Planting wildlife-friendly plants and trees to improve natural diversity, making art that connects people to folklore and magic to lead to respect and care for natural environments. and helping to run events that help children hold to their love of nature and creativity.