I grew up in the south of England, painting, sewing and making miniature houses full of tiny furniture and people. I lived in Hong Kong as a teenager, but went on to train as an illustrator in Bath. 

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After gaining my illustration degree, I set up in business with help from the Prince's Youth Business Trust, and in the 25 years since, I have worked as an illustrator for a huge range of clients. My work has won awards and been published all over the world. I don't take my success for granted, and am always trying out new techniques and pushing my work on as far as I can. I am grateful to be working at something I love doing.

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As well as being a professional illustrator, I also teach illustration - I am an occasional lecturer on the illustration MA course at University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, helping students all around the world to develop their illustration styles and ideas.

 

I also run creative workshops specialising in illustration for the UCA outreach department. I visit schools around and about, to share my enthusiasm for illustration with those who are just starting out on their creative journeys, or who haven't even heard of being an illustrator. I find working with young people very rewarding and inspiring, and get so much from the exchange of ideas. My top tip? Keep a sketch book.

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I also teach other creative educators on a postgraduate course about inclusive educational practice and theories of learning - it's a fascinating subject, and I enjoy helping other people to become more effective practitioners. If I wasn't an illustrator I'd like to be a researcher - I LOVE finding out about things - it's like a treasure hunt, you don't know what you are going to find!

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In my spare time, I usually have a side project on the go - silversmithing, metalwork, dress making, woodwork, needle felting, to name a few, but I am getting more interested in portrait painting right now - and of course, working in my sketchbook.  

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