Hello
I have been designing and making recycled greetings cards since 2010, from my studio in Uppermill, Saddleworth, with a love of hand-drawn and painted illustration. My joyful designs are stocked in really nice gift shops and galleries, and interesting boutiques around the world. Sustainability has always been at the core of my values; my cards have always been made in the UK, and have always been printed on recycled card and packaged in biodegradable sleeves. In 2023 we also began planting a tree for every order placed.
Painting always underpinned my art practice, but over the past few years I found the space in my life to bring my paintings into the centre. In 2022, I was awarded an Arts Council DYCP grant to develop my painting practice and I expanded a body of work that I exhibited, exploring mark-making with the aim of capturing something of the spirit of these passing moments.
Often painting outdoors, I lean into the space between abstract and realist painting, trying to find ways to paint impossible things; moments of life with light falling in incredible ways across ever changing landscapes, like memories and perceptions fading in and out of focus.
I am always experimenting, with materials and ideas. I like how art is a way to connect people. I like how greetings cards are little affordable art works. Alongside my paintings and illustrations I try wherever possible to do other projects that take me out of my home studio! I spent ten years writing songs and playing music with my DIY girl band, helped to create a free art school in Salford, spent 4 years home educating my children, worked on collaborative art projects with poets, performers, musicians, children and ecologists, and always returned to the hills where I live. There is something about this place that feeds into my heart and my work.
In 2023 I worked with a group of local artists to establish the first ever Saddleworth Art Trail, a celebration of art being made in our area through a series of small exhibitions in homes, studios, community halls, churches, cafes and bars. It was a great success which has now become an annual event.
Recent Exhibitions of my paintings
2025, The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle
2024, Braemar Gallery, Scotland
2024, Home MCR, Open Exhibition
2024, Arteria Gallery, Lancaster
2024, Saddleworth Art Trail
2023, Cupola Gallery, Sheffield
2023 Fair Trader, Holmfirth
2023 My house, Uppermill
