I grew up at the foot of the Sussex downs watching the racing stables walking out. Living in a small village I didn't ride but cycled everywhere, and founded my love for walking with dogs and country pursuits.

I started my working life in high end fashion retail and still love great design and quality products.

 

I had an interesting interval in London's Kings road working with an Italian book dealer learning the technique of restoring and colouring antique paper and book plates. After prioritising my children I was excited to be able to start painting , learning on 'the job' and so being able to evolve my technique to suit my subject matter.

 

Thanks to Colin Neville contemporary art I have exhibited in London, South Africa and all around The British Isles, also enjoying a long term relationship with The House Of Bruar.

 

I have clients all over the world from Europe to Dubai and Australia. Many bring their working dogs over so that I may meet them and get a feel for their character and the bond between them.  I am lucky to be able to combine my love of animals with my passion for painting.

I was recently commissioned by the Cottesmore Hunt to paint their 350th anniversary painting which is of their best hounds.

 

I depict my subjects in a strong modern way with a nod to the design factor I love. My style has been described by The Wykeham Gallery, Stockbridge, as ' unfettered and free', but with portraiture there has to be a correctness so I try to achieve a quality that is not too controlled, especially difficult within the portraiture genre taking many layers of paint.  The odd brushstroke or even thumbprint add to my own personal style whilst remaining anatomically correct.

 

I love the relationships, in person and on paper that evolve whilst a portrait is being created. This increases in pleasure when a client 'grows ' their family in portraits. The time spent with people and their horses, dogs, children is special and I thank them all for sharing it with me. Especially as clients travel from abroad. It means so much that people enjoy my paintings.

Recently I have been enjoying working at a collection of red squirrels which can be seen at The Wykeham Gallery in their Christmas exhibition.

 

Paula