Achievements
"A little about my achievements over the past five years, I have entered quite a few competitions and been involved in a few things on the television. I think my greatest claim to fame so far, is my appearance on Sky's Landscape artist of the year in 2021.
Although I didn't win, it was a fantastic experience which I will never forget"
2023
Sell to wholesale
I decided to give wholesale a go, I have never tried it before but the people who organise the Art in the Pen were holding one at the same venue. It was the first ever show they had held of its type. I realised that it was not for me after discussing with gallery owners who visited the show, but I guess you don't know if you dont try?
Began You Tube channel
So over the years I have created a few time-lapse videos of me working and I decided to create my own channel on Youtube
Selected for exhibition at the open art competition
I entered a competition to take part in the open art competition which was held in conjunction with Patchings. My work was selected and was exhibited at Patchings in Nottingham. Although I didn't win it was recognition that I was on the right path with my work.
Appeared in a magazine
So since the birth of my grandson I have been painting him non stop and it was from one of this paintings that got chosen by the painters on line magazine that my Isaac made an appearance. I was asked to write my full process of how I painted him.
Attended Art Walk Wakefield
My third time of attending the Art Walk Wakefield evening and maybe my last? Not that I don't enjoy them and promoting myself and my work, but I believe that the art walk team are taking a break for a while.
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Attended Holmfirth Art Week
My first time exhibiting at Holmfirth art week, set in the beautiful Holmfirth. I have never been to Holmfirth exhibition let alone took part before. I was surprised at the different abilities on show, you don't need to be a professional, anyone can exhibit. I was pleased with what I showed but maybe next year I will stick to a figure as I didn't get a sale.
Self Portrait Prize 2023
Ruth Borchard Collection
So I created this portrait for my entry to Sky's Portrait artist of the year, but I wasn't selected, so I decided to enter it for the Ruth Borchard Collection self portrait prize and did get a selection. Not a winner though I am afraid, but it does appear in the online gallery.
Art in the Pen
Okay I say it ever year, but this was the best Pen I have ever produced. I had another fabulous year with many sales and met many lovely people. I now have return customers or people who just turn up every year to say hello.
2022
Became a full time artist
So this year I made the leap to become a full time artist and gave up my day job of 16 years. A very scary thought as the country was now in a state with people struggling to live. This was also the year me and my husband became grandparents for the first time.
Launched my turn from nature series
I could now spend far more time on my art work and I gave myself time to practice my work. I really pushed myself into concentrating my efforts into this body of work, which was a huge success.
Turn from nature
Entered the Holly Bush emerging woman painting prize
I started to enter painting competitions this year as I felt my work had progressed enough. I entered the Holly Bush emerging woman painting prize (what a mouthful) and made my way to be short listed. Thrilled and delighted are two words that came to my mind, its always good to have affirmation that you are taking the right path in life. The piece was one from my Turn from nature series called the Moth
Began to give demonstrations
Its strange when you say to people how nervous you are at the thought of speaking to a large crowd, they expect you to be able to perform. But I did perform and I found that I knew quite a lot about what I was talking about.
Art in the Pen
Well I had a fantastic year this year, my 'pen' looked beautiful, the best one yet. I always enjoy this event, meeting such interesting people and discussing art. I met a really special lady, called Rosemary, from Rosemary and Co brushes. A genuine lovely person with great taste in art. I made many sales and went home a very happy girl.
2021
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Appeared in the local newspaper
Appearing in the local paper I felt a sense of pride, even though it
was to promote my self I felt I have archived something.
Appeared on Sky’s Landscape Artist
of the year
I came down to the last 3 in my heat. What a remarkable day and
one I will never forget. For more information visit my blog page
here
Attended Wakefield Art walk
I attended Wakefield art walk, but this year, I was actually there,
no Covid rules. My venue was the magnificent Wakefield
Cathedral my work looked wonderful set amongst all the history
of the Cathedral. Such a great evening and such a good turn out
of people who visited many artists all within a walking distance of
Wakefield center.
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Gallery representation
This year I began exhibiting in galleries:
Art Original Gallery Ridings Centre Wakefield
Pomfret Gallery Pontefract
The Gate Gallery Doncaster
Exhibited at Art in the Pen Skipton
My next appearance at Art in the Pen, I realize on reflection that
the work I exhibited was a real mish-mash I had landscapes,
figurative work and illustration. So I learnt another lesson, show
people what you do and do it well, create a cohesive body of work, although I did have a few sales.
Volunteered at Queens Mill Castleford
(gave free art classes to the elderly) We as a nation were coming
out of yet another lock down and during that time, I began what
it felt to be lonely. I was still working the day job and working form
home, which was so isolating
and so when we came out the other end, I decided to volunteer
my services to the elderly and give free art classes.
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2020
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So this was the year of my launch into the art world, or so
I thought, like so many things everything was cancelled,
because of the big C...COVID
Facilitated workshops at the Queens Mill Castleford
At the beginning of 2020 before the world shut down, I held my first ever portrait workshops, teaching not only portraits but oil painting. Its amazing how much I learned form this experience. My confidence was growing, and I really enjoyed the experience.
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Selected to exhibit at Art & York as a raw talent Artist
I was selected to take part in a mentoring scheme that ended with a exhibition at York races at the end of the year, unfortunately this was cancelled
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Selected to exhibit at Art in the Pen Skipton
I was selected again to take part, but yes, it was cancelled.
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Created an NHS Hero portrait
One of my proudest portraits I have ever painted. Click here for the full story
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Took part in Wakefield Art walk
My first ever Art walk happened during the Covid times and so
this was the compromise, the Wakefield organizers printed out work
and exhibited it around Wakefield in shop windows.
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2019
Exhibited Art in the Barn, Batley.
This was my first ever show and if I remember right I didn't sell anything, but it did teach me a lot.
1 - Originals sell better than prints
2 - I learned what a browser was
3 - Wrong location for my work
4 - I need to wear more pink
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Exhibited Art in the Pen Skipton
My first ever exhibition at Skipton and I really enjoyed the experience, I went with the intention of just working out how to represent myself. Having to stand in front of your work and discuss it is was a bit nerve wracking but I did it and I think it went quiet well. I did sell one original, my first ever sale, and the lady still buys work form me now.
I also discovered that I was the only figurative artist in the whole exhibition, which made my work original and stand out from the crowd.
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Appeared on the One Show
This appearance was more that I was in the right place at the right time. I saw a request on face book asking people who grew up around Ferrybridge Power station to get in touch, and I did.
The opening piece is my voice, which was very strange, It was basically my take on the demolition of the power station and my reaction to it.
The full film is available on my you tube site here
2018
I appeared on Sky's Landscape artist of the year
as a wild card. This episode was filmed at Fountains Abbey in the moon gardens, with lots of rain.
This was my first experience of not only working outside but been filmed and the first time that Stephen Mangan interviewed me.
Filming, and my fellow wild card contestants
Above
Me looking smug, because the painting session was over and the sun began to shine
The finished painting, I dont know if you have ever tried to paint in oils whilst its raining, and with a strong wind, blowing your pallet away, its not easy.
The finished painting was disastrous