My sketchbooks are filled with hours of drawings, inspired by the eclectic beauty of the Yorkshire countryside, moors, and coast. I have a particular fascination with the organic structures of lichen, fungi, and mould and the way patterns of these forms spread and grow. These elements often serve as the foundation for my work, with detailed explorations in my sketchbooks leading to multi-layered paintings created with watercolour and ink. Each layer in my paintings grow and spread organically across the page, developing as I work. A key part of my practice involves making my own materials, growing, foraging, and processing pigments by hand using what is available in the local landscape. This began during my residency at Cannon Hall and has developed into an ongoing exploration of how colour can be sourced more directly and responsibly, moving away from materials that have travelled long distances. More recent projects have included working with naturally occurring pigments such as mine water ochre, connecting colour to specific sites and local histories.

In 2022, I was awarded a research and development residency at Cannon Hall Museum Park and Gardens, where I explored the idea of growing and foraging for colour from the landscape itself. This experience has inspired me to incorporate pigments from my local environment into my work. Recent examples include a black pigment made from the charcoal of a 200-year-old apple tree, a grey pigment from acorn caps gathered in my garden, and a pigment made by grinding a brick from the greenhouse built at Cannon Hall in 1785. During the residency, I also grew indigo from seed and cultivated a small plot within the walled garden. This venture allowed me to create my own homegrown indigo pigment, which has become a meaningful addition to my practice. This process was particularly significant for me, as I had previously purchased indigo from India.

Working towards a zero waste practice, exploring materials with sustainability in mind aligns with my ethos of slow living. By growing and processing locally sourced materials, I aim to foster a deeper, more grounded connection between my work and the world around me, emphasising the importance of mindfulness, sustainability, and a respectful relationship with the environment.

Please visit my Instagram account for project updates and work in progress.