I live and practice my printmaking and drawing in the beautiful South West of the UK, in Plymouth, where I have my studio space and my wonderful Gunning Printing Press. Living so close to the Dartmoor National Park, much of the inspiration for my monotypes comes from the atmospheric moorland, and I seek to create a scene with ethereal colours where the viewer can be enveloped in another place.
I have drawn from a very early age, enjoying capturing the detail in botanical elements. In recent years my love of, and interest in trees has grown. I visit many ancient, veteran and notable trees in the UK, using pencil to replicate their stunning forms and catalogue their importance in the landscape.
The monotype process has a very flexible and painterly approach, allowing me to create textures, informal marks and colour blends on the printing plate. By printing separate layers of ink, I can create a depth and atmospheric representation of the landscape. Many of the trees I draw over my monotype prints are in existence on and around Dartmoor and I am drawn particularly to oak trees and twisted hawthorns.
I originally trained in graphic design in 1986 at Plymouth College of Art (now Arts University Plymouth), followed by a BA (Hons) in Fine Art at Plymouth University in 2011. In 2015 I was reintroduced to printmaking, finding myself drawn towards the monotype process. From 2020, I have been able to practice my printmaking and drawing full time and have enjoyed exhibiting locally in Plymouth, Devon & Cornwall as well as nationally and internationally.
