I fell in love with abstract painting by accident. After 20 years hunched over a computer screen as a professional digital illustrator, designer and animator my body began to protest. I started experimenting with paint to reduce computer screen time and fell in love with the hands-on approach, the freedom of technique, and the expressive quality of painting.

People say my work brings them joy and happiness, which is so lovely to hear. It is bright, bold and uplifting.

I am inspired by the feeling of Spring, Japanese aesthetics, especially Japanese woodblock prints and calligraphy brush paintings, abstract expressionists, and colour in all its glory.

I build up the layers of a painting by responding to marks, colours and shapes that have been laid down before. I instinctively know where to put the next mark, what works and doesn't, and how to create unity in the composition. My aim is to paint without overthinking and overworking it.

Painting brings me so much happiness. I love not knowing what will emerge as I paint and delight in getting messy, accepting happy mistakes, and exploring new colour combinations and marks that appear like magic.

Each day is a new adventure which brings excitement and curiosity. Always asking, I wonder what would happen if I do this or that… experimenting and exploring.