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 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 love to share my enthusiasm for illustration with those who are just starting out on their creative journeys. 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 in creative disciplines - it's fascinating, and I enjoy helping other people to become more effective practitioners. If I wasn't doing anything else, I'd like to be an academic 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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