I’m an artist who thrives on the raw, hands-on magic of dry materials such as pastel, charcoal, pencil, and graphite. Whether it’s the precision of a single pencil stroke or the bold fusion of textures, I dive deep into the creative process, fully connected to the surface. My goal is to create art that resonates with viewers, sparking joy, and fostering a genuine connection. For me, art is an ongoing adventure, fuelled by a passion to craft pieces that evoke emotion and capture beauty.

What I Create With

I primarily work with dry materials like pastel, charcoal, pencil, and graphite. There's something magical about pushing these mediums past their limits, sometimes blending them all together, and other times sticking to just a single pencil or colour to craft a piece. My hands-on approach is deeply personal; there's a unique intimacy in directly feeling the material against the paper, without the detachment of a brush handle. It’s this direct connection and intimacy with the materials and subject that I strive to portray in each piece.

My first love? Graphite. Often underestimated as just a sketching tool, I’ve always seen its untapped potential. It’s so much more than a medium for jotting down mathematical equation, it’s a versatile powerhouse for creating masterpieces. Some of my most detailed and admired pieces are made with graphite, proving its capability beyond the mundane. Mastering graphite opened the door for me to explore other dry materials, like the boldness of charcoal and the vibrancy of pastels.

Currently, pastels are my main material of choice. They bring a certain looseness and expression to my work that I adore. I love the process of preparing my own surfaces, playing with colours and textures, and just seeing where the pastels take me. My journey is one of constant experimentation where there's no rigid path, just an intuitive dance with the materials that reflects my emotions and experiences.

Why I Create

Inspiration is a constant flood I can’t contain. Classical art, landscapes, still life, portraits, and figurative work all ignite my creativity. My sketchbooks overflow with ideas, scribbles, and studies, even spilling onto cereal boxes and spare envelopes. Despite years of dedication, I feel like I’ve barely begun to explore the depths of what I want to create.

I was once told that I could not appreciate art because I did not go to art school. Apart from thinking that’s the most ridiculous nonsense I’ve ever heard it only added fuel to the fire in me to continue to build on my knowledge of art history, the art world and honing my skills and techniques.

Why do I create? Because I simply must. My work isn’t about making statements on politics or current affairs; it’s about bringing beauty into the world. When someone gazes at my art, I want them to feel joy, to see something beautiful that enriches their everyday life. It’s about connection and creating pieces that people love, that make them smile each time they look at them. When I draw or create, I’m sharing a piece of myself with the world, open to judgement with nowhere to hide. It’s the highest compliment when someone recognises my work and buys a piece. It validates that the time, passion and vision I pour into creating truly matters.