For several years I lived in Botswana and Zimbabwe, so the majority of my art is inspired by the people, wildlife and landscapes of Africa. I return regularly to sketch and paint, work with conservation organizations, and lead Art Safaris for Africa Geographic. However, as an artist I find inspiration everywhere I look, so when I’m not in Africa you’ll find me sketching and painting local cityscapes, landscapes and, of course, my German Shepherd dog, Sasha.
Sketching and painting directly from life are skills I have worked hard to develop and improve. Working this way requires confidence and an ability to make quick decisions about line, composition and color – especially when sketching animals. Traveling with a sketchbook has allowed me to meet fascinating people, see incredible cultures, visit amazing places, and learn about wildlife anatomy and behavior. I am a better artist as a result of working from life on a regular basis, and I rely on my sketches as inspiration for many of my studio paintings.
Whether I’m working in watercolor on paper or in fluid acrylic on canvas, my paintings are built around washes of color which obscure and reveal the subject. I use these washes to create effects of light, dust and heat, but often use color to convey a mood or a time of day, not to mimic the actual colors of nature. By eliminating unnecessary detail from my compositions and using a limited palette of colors, I create a tranquil atmosphere and leave room for the viewer’s own interpretation and imagination.
Living in Africa has given me a deep interest in conservation, and I make donations to African conservation organizations from every sale of my art. My extended visits to Painted Dog Conservation in Zimbabwe (see Painting the Painted Dogs), and African People & Wildlife in Tanzania (see Drawing upon Community), resulted in paintings based on complex conservation issues such as human-wildlife conflict and rhino poaching, giving my art layers of meaning in addition to layers of color.
I am a Signature member of Artists For Conservation and the Society of Animal Artists, a member of The Explorers Club, and a member of African People & Wildlife’s International Advisory Council. Since 2011 I have been leading Art Safaris for Africa Geographic, teaching guests to sketch and paint wildlife from life on safari. I am English by birth but live in Port Chester, New York with my husband, Nigel.