October
What an exciting Month!... Firstly I am proud to say I have joined the wonderful Adamo gallery in Cardiff, and was very happy to attend the private view of 'Emergence' with my cocktail collages on display. They are a gallery I have been admiring for some time and I appreciated the warm Welsh welcome!
Next, I was very happy to have such a successful time at the Affordable art fair in Battersea where I exhibited with No Naked Walls Gallery. Several of my pieces sold to new collectors and that is so nice when there is so much art on offer at such a big fair. It was actually the 25th anniversary of the affordable art fair so was a very busy event over the weekend. My gold leaf cocktail pieces proved very popular so I am hoping to gild my future!!
Thankyou to everyone who visited and bought at either event.
September
I have been slowly working on some colourful cocktail pieces for some months now, and the studio is starting to fill up with canvases - happily not blank, but full of vibrant colour!
I am embracing colour instead of my beloved black backgrounds - I think it is a combative response to the dismal weather!! I am not going to lie, although it is exciting it has been a learning curve. To depict cut glass on red as opposed to black really changes the spectrum of white and black - it is quite a challenge but I have enjoyed it. I am particularly happy with the deep red of campari/negroni cocktails in contrast to blues..uplifting colours.
I worked with lots of layers of glazes to build up the depth of colour in the red cocktails, whilst maintaining the transparency. I also have been experimenting with gold and silver leaf backgrounds - I have used a really old, English company, for my gold/silver leaf supplies and advice. The results look great and you cannot help but admire the shine of leaf on a painting - it just makes everything so appealing! Bring on the bling!
August

The end of the summer was marked by the 'Pimms Summer Party' at No Naked Walls Gallery. (You might rightly ask what summer given the wet weather we have suffered in the UK, but that is another story!)
A great evening of artwork and socialising was had by all, and I was happy to participate in both accounts...
It is lovely to be a part of independent galleries, you really do feel the community and genuine love of art on such occasions.
May/June
Busy month with some of my paintings being selected for shows..
The (lower) photos show my work at Chelsea Arts Society, which sold among some really talented artists. I had two little antique frames which I painted designer paint tubes for (Hermés Orange and Tiffany Blue) - the 'Tiffany blue' one happily sold at Chelsea.
Then I had some work selected as part of AthertonGreen Art's summer show - above, my signature 'glass paintings' of Guinness and Prada perfume bottle as shown.
Both are lovely locations with exemplary curation so I am feeling pleased and proud as we move into the summer.... which I am hoping is going to appear any minute now!!
April
An entertaining month! I made some time to go and see the 'Sargent and Fashion' exhibition at the Tate Britain. It was a great concept for an exhibition of Sargent's society portraits (literally how did he make so many large scale detailed paintings in his lifetime?) where they managed to get the original costumes of the sitters alongside his portraits. Fascinating for me as an ex fashion designer to see those heavy velvet clothes! The people were so much shorter and not suprising when you see the weight of the corsetry and heavy structured dresses they were wearing!!
It was fascinating to learn about one of his most famous paintings 'Madame X' (bottom right), which created such a stir when it was originally unveiled as Sargent had painted one of her gown straps hanging casually of her shoulder - as you can see he was forced by the outcry to place both straps firmly on her sholders in the finished portrait. It is hard to believe that could cause such an outcry now!
I also enjoyed a visit to Ronnie Scotts to see the wonderful female jazz vocalist Mica Miller (top left) - so so good! I know I really should be doing year end accounts this month but ...... !
March
March was great for the Irish!
We did so well at the Rugby, Horse racing at Cheltenham, and of course there was St. Patrick's day to celebrate!
I was inspired by these events of my heritage to paint the central Guinness painting. It is about the legendary first gulp, where the aim if you are a true enthusiast, is that in the first gulp you drink to the middle of the letter G on the glass 'Split the G', hence the painting detail left.
Luckily for me, and honestly it blew me away - the official Guinness instagram account posted it on their site. Now I have a nice lot of new followers, a sold painting, new commission - and most importantly finally some respect from my teenage sons!!
I also went to visit my family in Cork - sadly not for St. Patrick's itself,
but a great craic was had none the less!
February 24
The wonderful fashion illustrations of Carl Erickson (Erik) who illustrated for Vogue throughout the interwar years up until his death in 1958, were shown together with the pioneering fashion photography of Lee Miller, who also worked for Vogue in this period. It was a fascinating exhibition from the wonderful Gray MCA.
Erik's illustrations are up there with Grau for me - and I have spent so many hours pouring over his work in my earlier fashion days that it felt like meeting dear friends to see them in the flesh! A personal highlight for me.
I confess to not being as familiar with Lee Miller's photography, apart from being aware that she was a trail blazing female photographer in a very male dominated era. I now plan to visit her home 'Farleys' and archive after finding out it is not too far away in Sussex, something to look forward to on a warmer, spring day!
January 2024

Well here we are again! Happy New Year to all!
After much fun with family and friends, its time to get back into the studio - My year started with a lovely commission for a special grappa bottle and glasses. I subtly incorporated the lucky recipients birthday into the vineyard's label - in Italian ( I did check the spelling twice!!)
It was a good way of breaking back into my art practice - I love nothing better than painting glass and using a small brush to capture some details - must be my sadistic streak!
Anyway, I hope you all had a lovely break and wishing you the best for the year ahead. Let us hope this year brings more peace to the world.
December 23
I am pleased to say that all three of my framed Chanel bag illustrations have sold already! I also got a nice surprise to see my work featured in Premier magazine's Christmas gift guide.
Its been a busy year in the studio and out, so I am looking forward to a good break with the family, and friends for New Year. As I have finished all commissions, It will be nice to regroup in January and take the time to think about what I want to paint next.
Thankyou again for another year of support and purchases, I wish you and your loved ones all the best and a Happy 2024!!!
NoveNovember 2023
Chanelling Chanel in November!
A great visit to the "Gabrielle Chanel Fashion Manifesto" exhibition at the V&A provided much inspiration for my Chanel carrier bag illustrations. It was lovely to see the tweed outfits I so often draw on my chanel ladies - you could really see all the work that goes into the couture tailoring - the skirts were weighted down with chains sewn into the hems, and the braiding and seaming were all so exquisitely done. They also had all the beautiful Chanel perfume flacons throughout the years. The iconic bottle shape has changed very little, and is said to be inspired by the shape of the Place de Vendome where Gabrielle had her atelier and shop. An arial view of Paris shows a remarkably similar shape - what beautiful symmetry between brand and design!
I have delivered a few new black Chanel bag illustrations to Cloud Gallery - they look so beautiful framed to show their handles, complete with their Camellia and logo ribbon. A perfect Christmas gift for that Chanel lover!
October 23
I am happy to say that my work is now available locally (Guildford) from No Naked Walls gallery. This contemporary art gallery is independent; which in my opinion is so much more discerning and rewarding for everyone than the big high street chains. I am proud to be a part of this - please take a look at the gallery here:
I am even in the window already, and hope to add more artworks to the current selection in time for their Winter show starting November 25th. In the meantime, I do love how my Silent Pool Gin glass looks so appealing in the cosy window light of the gallery in Autumn.
Sept 23
Fresh Art Fair was held at Ascot racecourse at the end of September.
I was very proud to be at my first big art fair - my art was taken by the lovely Alton based gallery Athertongreenart (check them out in link).
The standard of work was incredible and it was great to see people loving art and enjoing the experience.
I made some larger scale cocktail collages using some of my designer packaging that I have been hoarding since my fashion days. The orange of Hermés packaging has inspired a number of my artworks and is so suited to these bright and fun cocktail collages. Mixed with shiny acetate, gold leaf and acrylic ink these are just the kind of sophisticated cool you want in your kitchen.
Take a look at what is still available from this collection
August 23
I need to get back to work! .. I mean in between the highlights of short breaks and summer visitors I have been painting - but summer has definitely been a distraction, so some discipline must be resumed.
One of my Cartier box paintings has recently sold and I found myself musing what they would be like on a large scale so I have been working on this big boy for awhile. I was going to paint the Cartier logo in the centre but I now think it is obvious that the painting is a Cartier panther, and it may detract from the overall artwork.
The concept of this piece was the contrast of the wild cat with the emerald cut eyes - and the contrast of the green eye against the red background really strikes home! The canvas of red patina over gold leaf is obviously inspired by the Cartier packaging, and the sheer scale of this 1m canvas creates quite a magnificent beast.
I am going to paint large scale versions of my Tiffany & Hermés collections next.
JULY 23
Well, July in England was a bit different to May and June in Italy!!
You have to make the best of the traditionally rubbish weather - and I did, visiting my daughter in York. It really is a city full to the brim with history and every where you look a different era of building.
Fairfax House ( the red room pictured below) was the house used in the TV series 'Gentleman Jack' as the real life Anne Fairfax was an ex lover. Anne Fairfax was bequeathed the house by her father at a time when it was largely unthinkable for women to be in control of money or independence. By all accounts she was a spirited pioneer, and the house was very atmospheric and staged as if she was just out for the day.
So from the scandalous Fairfax house I went to York's wonderful Minster. Such a huge church, it has much to see with its underground crypt and spire. The stained glass windows are many - really really many - detailed and colourful.
June 2023
So like a glam fashionista, I was fortunate enough to go back to Italy after my Venice trip last month! This time I went to Milan, chiefly to attend Milan Unica and a very generous party held at the Villa Necchi in Milan by Fratelli Delfino - makers of the most beautiful Italian made tailoring fabrics. The Villa Necchi is an essential visit if you have a few days in Milan - right in the middle of the city is this 1930's villa with an amazing collection of art and sculpture - all in a beautiful garden complete with the first private swimming pool in Milan.
To complete my fashion fix, I also made it to the Armani Silos museum where you can see Armani's collections on mannequins in a huge modern concrete setting. Having been a fashion student in the 90s (quite the Armani hey day) I recognized so many iconic looks and rekindled my admiration for Giorgio's artistry.
I also saw the Guy Bourdin photography exhibition - one of fashion's finest photographers... so June was a very stylish month for me!
May 2023
I had the pleasure of a short break in Venice in May - you can see why this was an important stop in the 'Grand Tour' of victorian travellers. No city seems as different and magical - I suppose in part to no other city being literally on water in the same way. Every where you settle your gaze you want to take a photo of the beauty, it is a cliche but it really is breath taking.
I had wanted to visit Peggy Guggenheim's villa and art collection for a long time, and it didn't disappoint! Every notable artist of the 20th century seemed to be in Peggy's collection, and her own life story of wealth and philanthropic patronage was fascinating.
As an ex fashion designer I was interested to see all those beautiful silk prints and the pleated silk Fortuny is famed for, but at the Fortuny Museum (in his beautiful family palazzo) I learnt he was also a great artist which I never knew.
I also happened to be in Venice to see the mysterious green canal water (top right) hit the news.. It wasn't my paint I promise!!
April 2023
Delighted (just look at my grin!) to have my work showing at @salon Prive - the luxury car event at Chelsea's Royal Hospital. Cloud Gallery have a stand exhibiting several of my pieces and it was a privilege to be there amongst the most luxurious cars in such a stunning London location.
The Hermés box painting (in photo) took a long time to complete. It is a tromp l'oeil effect of tied ribbon, that continues around the sides of the canvas. The box logo and the ribbon logos are painted in detail and I am happy to tell you it was worthwhile - as it has now SOLD so will now be part of a private collection.
March 2023

An idea I have had in my sketchbook for some time was to paint on real road signs and play with the concept of logos.
It started with the road-worker (middle sign) who I always think looks like he has an umbrella ...so he has now! A Burberry umbrella. The cool thing about these are that in the dark you only get the silhouette and don't see the pattern only the black shape. I have used a mix of old signs (don't ask!!) and new. The horse rider (top) I have made into the Polo Ralph Lauren logo, and the children crossing (bottom) was a lovely play on Palace the skate brand. Their logo is already a red triangle and I have referenced the royal kids with crowns and given them some suitably chelsea clothing!
A fun and unique idea, these road signs would make a cool addition to your art collection.
Jan/Feb 2023
Well that went quickly! The beginning of the year has started with a labour of love, Cartier love!! I have painted the famous Cartier panther on to those beautiful red boxes (obviously, genuine Cartier boxes.) I have really researched into the story of the Panther's use as a Cartier icon, and my art is based around that clever transition from wildlife to fine jewellery. So the panther may be painted as natural, but with meticulous emerald jewelled eyes, or the snarling fight of a wild big cat versus a Cartier jewelled panther ring.
This collection of exclusive originals have been mounted on gold and beautifully framed in deep wooden black frames and are available exclusively from @cloud gallery fine art.
Perfect for valentine's in case you need reminding!..
December 22
Nearly the end of the year, and so it's that time when we all like a cheeky cocktail or two! I have been enjoying the freedom of collaging with my designer packaging haul. Having collected (or at least not been able to part with) the beautiful packaging of the odd designer purchase over the years, they are now being put to good use as I have made a series of 'designer' cocktails artworks.
Using genuine luxury packaging, acetate and just monochrome ink, I have brought the 'dirty Gucci Martini' and the 'Hermés orange spritz' to life. These quirky collages have the graphic simplicity of Patrick Caulfield or Terry Frost but the chic subject matter is totally me! They have been beautifully framed and are available exclusively from @cloud gallery fine art.
I will toast you all over the festive season and wish you all the best for the New Year ahead! x
November
I am once again joining the local creatives in the 'Making Matters' contemporary gallery in the christmas perfect town of Farnham. I have many of my 'inktober' illustrations for sale; including those Tiffany portraits you can see behind me in the gallery photo, and some fashion illustrations in neon colours. 'Inktober' is a popular online motivational project to get artists to make an ink illustration every day of October, often to prompts that are then shared on social media. I ignored the prompts and loosely interpreted this to use the month to produce ink illustrations to which I added only one colour. The restricted palette was really interesting to work with and the ink gave me more freedom than my usual fine art methods.
I am also taking part in the @athertongreenart winter show with a selection of paintings and prints. This is held in equally beautiful surroundings near Jane Austin's house in Chawton. Do take a look at the catalogue below, there is some wonderful art and ceramics for sale. It really is enough to give you Christmas vibes ....my Christmas cards have largely sold out already and it is not even December!

October
I am very pleased to say I have joined Cloud Gallery and am in great company alongside exciting artists. I have got off to a flying start already selling a couple of originals in the first weekend.
Hopefully this will be the start of a rewarding partnership and see my reputation and recognition expand. I had been dragging my feet in approaching galleries but realised it was the next step to reach new audience, and I had earmarked Cloud Gallery to contact having followed them for some time on social media. Then fate stepped in and after seeing their stand at Blenheim - (where I went to the @salonpriveuk car event) it finally pushed me to reach out to them on my return.
The rest is history...hopefully art history!
Take a look at their gallery by clicking on the photo of cloud gallery.
September

So the back to school season has seen my twin boys off to start University...I know, I don't look old enough ;-) hence I am hoping to be able to produce more art with the 'extra' time?! ..
In my new organised frame of mind I have got on with producing some Christmas cards - the 'Designer Bauble' idea I have had for some time, and its only this year I have managed to paint this in time for printing pre Xmas. The designer logos on all the coloured baubles have taken some time but I hope they print as good as the original. I liked it so much that I have taken two of my other favourite genres - my Chanel bag illustrations and my Tiffany bag illustrations and made a sophisticated Christmas card design from each.
I will be selling these when printed, so keep looking for details on my website - and I will also take to the pop up gallery in Farnham that I am taking part in with @Making Matters from November until Christmas Eve.
July
'Vision and Virtuosity' a fantastic Tiffany exhibition, hosted at Saatchi Galleries, gave me a lot more inspiration for new artworks.
As it was my birthday, I treated myself to the Assouline book which is a gem in itself. Fabulous to be up close with some of the most iconic pieces of jewellery and also to see some of the intricate window displays recreated - you could even try on a Tiffany diamond ring! It was a fantastic summer day in London and nice to get out and about.
I have since had a commission for another Tiffany bag (top left) that I am working on currently. One of my own favourite paintings is the Beyoncé and Jay-Z carrier I have illustrated (bottom right) I am not unhappy to still have that in the studio!
May/June

I am honoured to have received a medal of artistic excellence by the UK Parliamentary Society of Arts, for my painting of Queen Elizabeth as part of my Hermés box series. The event was part of the official Jubilee celebrations and took place that weekend in the beautiful and prestigious buildings of No2 Whitehall.
I really had to pinch myself to be there among the artists, talent.. and Royalty! We were entertained by renowned Opera singers, Prima Ballerinas from the Royal Ballet, tenors and classical musicians. It was a truly memorable experience, and one I am so grateful for, and so proud to have been involved directly in a piece of history.
London was, particularly in the surroundings of Whitehall, looking splendid and decorated in patriotic flags and colours. I have no doubt that I will never forget the Platinum Jubilee!
April
In between eating my body weight in Cadbury's ( Happy Easter!) I am busy getting ready for The Wonderlist pop up event in May.
What is a wonderlist you ask? Well, in lockdown the event was set up to support small British businesses by selling at a virtual, invite only pop up sale. In my fashion days I did some garment work with one of the retailers: hence I subscribed to the event - and bought some really lovely things at a great price. As the event was such a success, it is now an annual date. I have decided to join this year as a lot of my artwork is fashion based and hopefully will appeal to the same customer. I've always been interested in the idea of not confining my work to art galleries but sharing it in lifestyle environments in new ways. If nothing else it has made me up my game in terms of marketing, having to collect subscriber emails and push me to be more present on social media - I even have a brand new tiktok account - click on the icon below to take a look!
Give me a like and a follow at @ellisartworks if I give you a laugh!
March
I have spots in front of my eyes!!
12 of them to be exact. I have been very busy making this beautiful logo spot painting as a commission. The client saw some recent Damian Hirst 'spot paintings' in Claridges art space and was inspired to recreate some personal colours. Originally we were going to just have the colour of the spots (so Hermés Orange etc) but then came up with the idea of logo spots - without any actual names so it is still a bit stealth. The result looks beautiful and I have tried to recreate textures and use varied materials (silver and gold leaf, sand effect paint, impasto etc) which really bring the artwork to life. A bit like my Feb post comments (see below), I have deliberately left things imperfect - pencil lines and hand drawn circles so that you know this is an original artwork, not a digital piece. That said, I have never done such prep before - it took me ages to decide on a circle size that would sit aesthetically well on the canvas size chosen. I then did a lot of paper mock ups of coloured circles which I moved around a dozen times until I was happy with the flow! The client is happy and I have taken 9 of the spots and made a very limited edition print which will be available shortly just in time for the 'Wonderlist pop up'.. details to follow!
February
Well, not the start to the year we were hoping; with a war in Ukraine.
I have pledged some paintings to @ukrainesupportpledge- another great innovation from Matthew Burrows who started the artist support pledge in lockdown (if you haven't seen it check it out - bargain art at a max of £200 - all the money goes to the artist) and a local @surreyfrills raffle. Like covid, you are left feeling pretty helpless watching the news so its nice to do even something small to support.
I am feeling grateful that I got a sunny (albeit very cold!) weekend away in York to visit my daughter. The York art gallery was a tranquil stop and housed several Harland Millers - which is the first time I'd be so up close to them. The huge canvases are even more impressive in real sight as there is so much texture and paint layering in those colours. It was also nice to note that the lettering isn't perfect - it is a painting and looks like one. This is something I always fight with in my work (like on my 'designer paint chips') - neat but painterly letters versus perfect script that could be digitial art.

I will be even messier in future ;-)
January 2022!
January 2022 ... let's hope this is a good year for the world! In my own world its been a good start.. My perfume paintings have featured in Goddessarts Magazine - always nice to see things in print. I intend to continue with this large scale series (hence currently my studio space has been dwarfed by giant canvases waiting to be started!) but I have happily got a good few commissions to complete before I can paint my own subject matter.
The 'Fragrance du Bois' painting recently sold though so that has made a bit of space...I have been talking to the brand about the possibility of collaborating on a painting for them, so fingers crossed that materialises!
In other fragrant news, I have now available mounted prints of my ever popular Chanel bottle, and a limited edition of my Acqua Di Parma will be available with artrepublic.com
Happy New Year to all of you!
November/ December
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!..Farnham, where I am taking part in a pop up gallery for the seasonal period, looks very pretty. Being a Georgian market town, (also the only town in the UK to have official craft town status!) it is the perfect backdrop for fairy lights and warm glowing shop windows.
The @makingmatters collective is a lovely gallery with 25 local artists and am happy to be making sales there up until Dec 24th. My prints are doing well as are my chanel bag illustrations - I will try and replenish the wall in between commissions.
It is a nice time of year to feel the support of the public who appreciate and enjoy buying from local talent, and for me its nice to be surrounded by fellow artists as opposed to working in the studio alone!
Wishing you all a happy and healthy Christmas.. thankyou for your support, for reading this and all the best for 2022!
Click on the above blue card to go to www.makeitblue.uk and buy!
October
October found me painting diamonds! Not unfamiliar territory but I am proud to say that one of my diamond paintings has been made into a Charity Christmas card for www.makeit blue.uk - a lovely sparkling blue diamond to suit the season, but the card (see left) is blank making it very adaptable and equally suited to a quick thankyou - (or even an engagement or anniversary card)..£10 for 10 and all proceeds to the good causes that @makeitblue support. Click on the card photo to visit the website and purchase.
I also have had the pleasure of drawing up some of the beautiful jewellery made by a local artisan jewellers www.simonpure.co.uk and look forward to working with them more in the future.
My diamond prints - see the yellow oval and the round brilliant cut, are now available from my website, these are beautiful and have been professionally mounted which really sets them of. Maybe a perfect christmas gift?
September
September saw the opening of one of my annual highlights to LFW.. the Gray M.C.A 'Drawing on Style' exhibition. The calibre of illustration is so inspiring, and as an admirer of the genre, it is a real goosebump giving thrill to stand in front of an actual Carl Erickson, Kenneth Paul Block or Antonio Lopez, fashion illustrators from the golden era.
Obviously we have some amazing illustrators working today and the best ones were present - both in their work and many in person! At the private view I was rubbing shoulders with Andrea Ferolla (photographed with me and his work is bottom left), Jason Brooks, David Downton, and a star studded guest list including, Stephen Jones, Zandra Rhodes, Virginia Bates, Leslie Caron & Joan Collins.. not too shabby!
Inspired by the fashion around me I have dived back into producing a few Chanel illustrations on carrier bags - I have a 'thing' for packaging and when framed the black and white look bags look quirkily stylish see top left...I'll be adding these to the site soon if they don't sell of insta before!
July
Well, if you were born in July ..1971.. you turn 50 this year!
It was wonderful when the family of my best friend from primary school commissioned me for a special celebratory painting.
The Veuve Clicquot champagne bottle (which I have been known to paint a few times now!) made a perfect bespoke and personal painting with the addition of a few special touches. The label has been changed to read vintage 1971, and with the help of my trusty magnifier I managed to get some personal names etc around the label, but its subtle and on first glance just looks like the stylish artwork it is! It was appropriate as my friend has been known to enjoy a tipple and was well received...something for you to think about if you need a special present for someone.
So as you may have gathered by that, I too joined the club in July - and let me tell you I milked my birthday, getting lots of attention & being thoroughly spoilt - I have even a new version of Veuve to paint now!
June
June is 'Open Studios' month in Surrey and Hampshire - and what a great month it is for inspiration!
I met some lovely fellow artists (I am not opening my studio but I am more than happy to nose around others!!) and realised how much quality art is in every locality. I also noted how much support and sharing of information and opportunity there was among the community, a really nice realisation in these times. Among the artists I saw, I am pictured here with Yeside Linney and the paintings on my right - the lovely abstract landscapes are from Fiona Pearce.
I thoroughly recommend that you get the booklet from Surrey Open Studios and do a trail next june - who knows maybe I will open up too?!
May
May saw the opening of a new independent Menswear and life style shop in Bermondsey, London from Seaward and Stearn. Seaward and Stearn have been hand making ties and pocket squares from their Bermondsey factory for many decades, and the same attention has gone into their clothing line. This is their first London shop, and it was fantastic to paint one of my 'designer paint chips' for them in their house purple, and to be able to hang some of my prints and originals in their store.
They have a great use of colour so my artworks compliment that perfectly! I am sure they will have every success in such a great location - if you visit be sure to go to the fashion and textiles museum nearly opposite - before having lunch at one of the many eateries around the market.
April
I think that Acqua di Parma and Tiffany &Co did the perfect 'April fools' on social media - and it really highlights the power of those iconic colours (See! that is what I was exploring with my designer paint chip prints - the recognition of brand colour as communication.) They are two of my favourite brands and I know the use of colour influences my preference for them.
I am currently working on a series of Tiffany and Co bag illustrations - taking scenes from the film 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and painting them on my collection of Tiffany bags. I am going for some of the rarer scenes - the stealing of masks from the 'five and dime' (Left corner) being a favourite of mine, and utilising the Tiffany bag logo as the window (in the centre) to everyone's favourite cat scenes (right) ...poor cat!
March
I am pleased to say I have finally got my first prints available! This has been such a long time coming - frustrated by printers being closed or limited due to the pandemic. So just in time for spring and new beginnings, my print shop is open.
It has been a great learning curve and experience, choosing the right weight of paper and colour matching the giclee prints to the originals but I am very happy with the results.
The print 'Joyce's Whisky' (pictured in the middle ) - has a personal story. I painted the original for my mother, my great grandfather was George Dempsey - James Joyce's teacher at Belvedere College where he studied in Ireland. Joyce based the character of 'Mr. Tate' on my great grandfather - he features in the two books I painted under the whisky glass in the painting. At one point we had these books, signed and dedicated in the family. Sadly they were mislaid and so I painted the books in their original bindings as a replacement. I am very proud that my great grandfather was such an influence on Joyce and his fellow pupils - the George Dempsey Memorial prize is still given out at Belvedere College annually.
February
In between doing commissions, I have commenced a project that has been in planning awhile. I think it's good in the midst of a lockdown to make time for art that has been on the back-burner, waiting for time to make it happen. So rather like how I painted on Tiffany box lids, I have been wanting to paint on my collection of Hermés lids. They are a limited resource (I prefer to use boxes I can guarantee are genuine - either my own, of friends) and so they had to be planned and researched. The challenge of these was to utilise the existing Hermés logo printed in the centre of the box lids, so I had to incorporate that into each scarf design. My 'Scarf Icons' are all well known for wearing scarves, and each scarf design painted is a Hermés pattern that I have chosen for them, to be correct for era etc. Now framed this little collection of uniquely special artworks looks striking. I have 2 more boxes to play with, and am happy to paint bespoke versions of customers own boxes.
Paragraph
January 2021
January sadly wasn't the fresh start that we all craved, it began with high covid rates and another lockdown.
As part of the @makeit blue campaign to show solidarity and support for the NHS and all front line workers, London landmarks have been lit up in blue. On Oxford street Selfridges and Flannels turned their shop fronts into multiple digital screens displaying works of art. My 'NHS BLUE 1948' painting (see my paint chip section) was displayed on the Flannels flagship building. This is a nice coincidence as about 18 years ago I designed the first couple of seasons of Flannels own label Womenswear as a freelance designer... I was working in an office yards from this building, although Flannels only had Northern branches at the time.
Sadly I haven't been able to see this display in real life as we all need to be staying at home and doing our bit to protect the NHS.
December 2020
This has been a hard year for many of us and I think we are all looking forward to turning the calendar over! It has been a struggle to maintain motivation in isolation and yet art has also been a refuge, and a grateful routine away from the news.
I have been pretty productive - on the left you can see the majority of my output this year, including two works accepted to major national exhibitions, twelve commissions for which I am truly grateful and many sales. Cocktail drinks and perfumes feature regularly but as you can see I have even (top row 3rd from left) had a landscape commission which was an enjoyable challenge.
I am proud to say I have raised over £1650 through sales of my artwork for charities; NHS Charities Together, Heart Research UK, Stagehand Charity and the Samaritans.
So lets stay postive and hope for a better 2021... I wish you all a happy and safe new year ahead.
November
I am proud to have my painting 'Dissolving 2020' (see Glass section of my website) in the South West Academy of fine arts exhibition entitled 'Reflections' - which should have been held at the wonderful Exeter Castle but for obvious reasons is being held online. The exhibition focuses on artist's responses to the extraordinary year that was. You may look/purchase my artwork and the exhibition via the link below:
https://swaconlinegallery.oess1.uk/artwork/ArtistPage/5803?exhid=152#.X6KvGos9KDk.mail
& don't forget to vote for me as people's choice if you liked this! ;-)
The other project I am taking part in this November is an anonymous art postcard sale to raise money for Heart Research UK. Artists, celebrities and designers have donated a A5 sized postcard artwork which are being auctioned on Ebay from 6th-15th November. You won't know who you are bidding on till you have bought it - see if you can spot mine on link below!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/heartresearchuk_shop
October
This month is craft month, and I am lucky enough to live near to the only town in England to be given 'World Craft City' status - there are only 3 in Europe! To celebrate this fact, I was among a group of 19 artists and craft people to take over an empty shop and turn it into a pop up gallery.
It was lovely to spend time with fellow artists doing this, and to hear the enthusiastic response of the public. Really, for life in a pandemic, the footfall was very good with lots of appreciative visitors. I sold 3 paintings and am discussing some commissions to follow.
I also forgot how pretty historic Farnham is.. I had lots of comments about that on social media from overseas customers - sometimes you take for granted that you are living in a beautiful town and working in a Tudor building! I need to remember to further appreciate my surroundings, family and health in these turbulent times.
Stay safe.
September
I am delighted to have joined British Contemporary Art (www.britishcontemporary.art) as part of their talented stable of select fine artists. It is a great format - take a look at their stylish website.
BCA is owned by the inspirational Mark Hatwood, who also has the Harbour Gallery in Cornwall. Mark is an uber-talented and creative guy, he used to be a drummer with Mud, then a writer/producer for many (including my teen choice, Johnny Hates Jazz!) and he also found time to write a screenplay turned Hollywood Film (Marcello Marcello)... So, his varied experience has provided him with great vision and innovation for selecting selling and producing contemporary art.

August
The ease of lockdown has meant I can finally leave my studio - and visit others! At a careful social distance I went to Salisbury (on what felt like the hottest day of the year) to visit the summerhouse studio of my friend and fellow artist, Caroline Richardson. Please check out her work (www.caroline-richardson.co.uk) she's such a versatile and talented oil painter. Caroline and I did art A level together - back in the day...we were at quite a small sixth form and actually went to take our A level by bus at the bigger local school in Guildford.
It was great to trade tips, but not long enough in the short time we had, so I hope to repeat this, or vice versa, and maybe even set up a still life and paint together. Somehow the joys and support to be found in community are more apparent since the virus and it is great to engage with fellow artists and even fellow humans after the lockdown!! My family are wonderful but I have seen a lot of them - and the kids are mostly just asking what is for lunch/dinner/tea...!
June/July

Well, lockdown has largely continued and my thoughts are with those most effected. Like most people have found, this has been a challenging time. I am also not alone in trying to turn this into a time to grow and a time to appreciate my life. 'Time to smell the roses' is how you might put it - and so I have taken advantage of the reduced price in online art tuition that is available and am going to have a go at painting flowers. I have long admired Dennis Perrin's work - although his beautiful artworks are more impressionistic than my style, his contemplative approach to painting is something I hope I can learn from. I would love the chance of being less a slave to detail - somehow I can't stop, but who knows!
In the same vein I am excited to follow 'The Artist's way' by reading Julia Cameron's book for creatives. I have heard great things about this and it is a 12 week course if you choose to follow it- hopefully these things will help me to make the most of the time.

Stay safe and stay alert..
