For as long as I can remember I have loved to draw and be creative. It is extremely satisfying creating something out of nothing and I find the process quite addictive. I've worked in the field of Art and Design for over 15 years and in 1996 was awarded a first class honours degree in furniture design. Since then I have worked freelance as an illustrator and designed furniture for several manufacturing companies. In 1999 I took a year off work to travel the world duringwhich I continued to draw by documenting the trip in sketch form. Many of my illustrations have a story behind them, from flamingos in Chile, albatrosses in New Zealand to European boats and architecture. I now live an idyllic life with my young son Kit and working from my cottage in the Forest of Bowland, doing something I really love. I have quite an unusual style of drawing which I think comes from my technical drawing training. I work mainly in fine line, ink and watercolour. I hate cluttered, fussy art and like to create a flow to the piece. I feel that the spaces are as important as the subjects featured and try to limit the number of colours I use. While working freelance, my illustrations have been used in advertising, corporate art installations, merchandising, publishing, greetings cards, personalised stationery and exhibitions. I happily accept commissions; my preferreects are pet, people and property portraits, but will always consider other themes (most recently I've been asked to draw a telephone box and a wedding cake).