Gallery
Culloden Moor 1 – Heather - 2021
A visit to Culloden Moor, Inverness, a place of such death and bloodshed, inspired me to capture the beauty that exists today. The movement of the vibrant purple and violet heather almost begged me to paint. My tribute to all of those that lost their lives. Includes a certificate of authenticity.
Culloden Moor 2 - Rose Bay Willow Herb - 2021
Punching through the green and standing aloof of the carpet of purple heather explodes the vibrant pink of the Rose Bay Willow Herb. A common plant in the Highlands of Scotland, it’s presence on Culloden Moor is nature’s way of demanding your attention and respect. The fuscia framework weaving beauty through the green and violet is a statement that cannot be ignored. Includes a certificate of authenticity.
Culloden Moor 3 - Thistle - 2021
Even through the dark spaces, busy with grasses, weeds and sticks Culloden Moor is a wonderful host to bursts of beautiful colour and form. Thistles, tiny white flowers and such detail as deserves to be noticed is present and worthy of our attention. Includes a certificate of authenticity.
Wounded but NOT Defeated – 2019
As women, we bear the physical scars of childbirth and breast cancer that can steal our femininity compared to society’s perception of what good looks like. But I believe that our physical scars are what makes us, we grow stronger through the pain. And sisters, we should definitely be strutting our amazing beauty like a peacock!
Hope IS The Key – 2020
In 2019 I was honoured to have connected with some amazing women who had been the victims of domestic violence. I had several lengthy and frankly harrowing conversations with these women about their experiences. This is what drew me to paint ‘Hope IS The Key’.
I had asked each of these women to give me some visuals of what it felt like to be in this abusive relationship and they all described a similar image or experience.
‘It felt like I was trapped in the grip of my abuser, trying so hard to pull away. I could see a door and I knew on the other side lay freedom and beauty, but I just couldn’t reach the key.’
This was such a consistent image in their own responses in addition to words like, embarrassed; ashamed; humiliated and their concern that nobody would believe them because their abuser was so charismatic. All of these women, who so courageously shared openly with me were adamant that the abuser should not be given any shape or form, but he should be a shadowy figure in the background, foreboding and controlling but not entirely visible.
I was happy with the image and then one day I walked into my studio and realised that the painting had fallen in the night, puncturing the canvas at the exact spot I had painted a fist on the perpetrator. I decided to semi-repair it and include it as part of the painting by featuring it as a punch hole rather than trying to disguise it. My tribute to every woman who has been a victim, there is always hope.
Addicted Beauty – 2020
Women are judged by people every single day. The media turns a spotlight on every imperfection. As ‘Obesity’ has become a dirty word and food so easy to consume, comfort, addiction, self harm have evloved as a new phenomenon. But ladies, you are pefect just the way you are. The great masters revelled in the beauty of the rounded woman and so do I. Ignore the media messages and judgemental stares and be your beautiful, unique, amazing self. Includes a certificate of authenticity.
Let Her Rise - 2019
Often women are held back from their true power by the pull of their life. Children, marriage, religion, grief, family, low self-esteem, society’s demands – can be both wonderful and suffocating. When a woman chooses to rise and be all she can be she will flourish and maybe even find that the very people she thought were holding her back are her biggest supporters!
You Raise Me Up – 2019
The Lotus flower is regarded in many different cultures, especially in eastern religions, as a symbol of purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth. Its characteristics are a perfect analogy for the human condition: even when its roots are in the dirtiest waters, the Lotus produces the most beautiful flower. Cherry blossoms are a symbolic flower of the spring, a time of renewal, and the fleeting nature of life. In this painting, I use both of these symbolic flowers to depict both the beauty of women supporting the growth of other women and that life is too short to be anything other than sisters!
Born To BE – 2019
My first painting in 30 years! I wanted to show that we are all born perfect with the opportunity to be anything we choose. However, it is often the negative words of others that change our path. When we can learn to rise above those words and actions, we can be anything we choose.