In the bleak moments of lockdown I considered myself lucky to own a beautiful garden which provided the inspiration for my painting. In the morning and evening light I observed changing colours and shapes. As the world reopened, my focus expanded to natural subjects in my environment, plants, rocks, water, and from this the works on display gradually emerged, bringing with them a new found joy and appreciation of the gifts of nature.

Painting and drawing has always been part of my life. Growing up in beautiful rural Co Tyrone gave me the gift of being in nature which fed my imagination and my love of colour and shape. As a child the outworld was my playground and the inspiration to draw and paint what I saw around me. I use both vibrant and subtle colours, work primarily with oils, use both brushes and palette knives, and acrylics which allows me the freedom to experiment.