The Loch by Night Painting

I'm originally from London and trained with the BBC, where I worked as a make-up artist for 26 years. Due to a rare genetic eye disorder, Retinitis Pigmentosa, I am now registered legally blind. Having transferred my artistry from face to canvas, I use my instinctive understanding of colour, tone and shading as a professional artist. My impressionistic style derives from my lack of vision as I rely on instinctive strokes to convey the powerful imagery of my imagination. My paintings have thus become more fluid, though references to landscape still emerge. I have always felt a strong connection with nature and am inspired by its power and beauty, especially the ocean. Japan, the Scottish highlands and Islands with their mountains and waterfalls are among my favourite places. I also enjoy Gaelic and Norse mythology and the Japanese influence is clearly visible in some of my earlier work. I work mainly in watercolour and acrylic inks on canvas and paper. With a strong passion for colour, depth and texture I invite the viewer to challenge their perceptions of blindness and to emotionally connect with my paintings through a sense of mood, place or feeling. Since launching my art career last year, I have had my first solo exhibition with work receiving both local and national media attention.