"Amur Leopard ‘Amour’" Print

Born in Wales, now based in the New Forest. I work by palette knife, finger tip and brushwork to create vibrant art in oil paints. I enjoy capturing landscapes and portraits of anything from animals to cartoon art. I'm drawn to both the energy of movement and the emotions, mood and character of still portrait, either way my resulting efforts converge in bright and bold artworks. My love for nature, colour and wildlife runs deep, from my earliest memories being around my families horse stables, to exploring colour and beauty in the Welsh fields and beaches with friends. My teenage years which led me to wild camping in the fields near my childhood home with friends, sat around campfires and amongst the grazing animals (with farmers permission). My later teen years led me to the Gower beaches surfing all year around, and it is those experiences which anchored deep in me, calling me back to the colour and movement of nature. After graduating in a BA Art and Multimedia degree in Swansea I joined the Police Force in 2006. But my love for the nature later drew me to becoming a Wildlife Crime Police Officer where I became an active cog in conservation of fauna and flora. After leaving the Police due to an injury I channeled my art mainly in woodcarving, specialising in letter engraving on oak mantles to hand carving initials linked together in wood for couples and families. I had great success with this work over the years, with my carvings totalled in the high hundreds and posted out to all corners of the world. With a few carvings features in prominent UK publications such as Tatler, Vogue and Home and Garden, my work also caught the attention of some prominent figures and Celebrities, which gave me great honour to make. However my artistic path led me on to this painting chapter of my life. Based in the heart of the New Forest I love nothing more than being locked away in the studio with my paints, music and my loyal companions (my dogs).