The British countryside gives me much of the inspiration for my work. The natural world provides my imagery, with landscape, plants and especially birds forming the core of my visual world. Birds have historically been associated with freedom, purity and perhaps even innocence. Their power of flight makes them evocative symbols of liberty, but even in ancient Babylon and China humans have caged them and kept them as pets or possessions. Many of my works explore this tension; restriction and freedom. My images of birds show them framed, tethered or under cloches, denied their freedom, they have become objects to be admired.

Printmaking is at the centre of my artistic life; its craft and processes are the means that I use to make my ideas visible. Lino is my primary medium, the direct touch when cutting the plate reconnecting me through the almost medieval technique to a time that was perhaps a little closer to nature. Following the contours and outlines of the birds I have drawn begins to restore our connection to them, investing them with care and sympathy.

Although I trained in the visual arts and have taught art for many years, it is only over the last three years that I have begun to develop my pieces for exhibition. Most recently I have been showing at City Arts with the Newbury Artists’ Collective and sell more commercial work through Etsy. I have undertaken a number of individual commissions, both nationally and internationally.