I am a Leicester based artist and designer who works mainly in gouache, watercolour and inks on board and paper. I also use Brushes (an iPad application) to create and work with digital paintings and designs. I work to record events in my own life, for friends and for others who commission work. My work is based on realistic images, but colour, pattern and perspective are enhanced to record the personality of the special place, person or event.
I was inspired to paint by a very charismatic art teacher at secondary school where I did an A level in life drawing. I went on to study art and design as part of a teaching qualification. More recently I attained a certificate in Art History at the University of Leicester. I am largely self-taught and always have an art project in progress.
I teach art classes locally and give presentations to local community and art groups and to teachers and trainee teachers on creativity, painting and drawing. (See Painting Classes and Presentations)
Cover and article in Quorndon Village Life, Issue 91, Summer 2019
Exhibitions
Leicester Museum and Art Gallery Leicester Open 33 December 2022 to January 2023
Leicester Society of Artists Annual Exhibition November 2022 to December 2022
Leicester Sketch Club Annual Exhibition October 2022 to November 2022
Ten2 Gallery, Hinckley July 2022 to October 2022
Bishop Street Methodist Church Platinum Portrayals June 2022
Leicester Museum and Art Gallery Leicester Open 32 December 2021 to January 2022
The Sock Gallery, Loughborough Town Hall Open Exhibition 2021 July to September 2021
Leicester Museum and Art Gallery Online Exhibition September 2020 to January 2021
The Sock Gallery, Loughborough Town Hall Colour in Life (Chris Mannion, Helen Newton and Marjorie Walter) April to June 2019
Leicester Museum and Art Gallery Judge Leicester Open 30 December 2019 to February 2020
National Trust Stoneywell, Leicestershire Creativity Exhibition November 2019
The Eye Gallery, Leicester Leicester Sketch Club Annual Exhibition October to December 2019
Platinum Portrayals Exhibition June 2022 Arts Council Funded with Headway, Leicester
In May 2022 I led both online and day centre Platinum Portrayals workshops for Headway Leicester for adults with acquired brain injuries. The sessions led to an exhibition at Bishop Street Methodist Church in June 2022. Without exception all the adults, many of whom were new to painting, worked enthusiastically, actively participated and produced both individual and group work to be proud of. The partners shared memories and researched ‘Royal’ imagery, designing Platinum Jubilee cups, mugs and plates, making bunting, making bejewelled crowns, decorating silhouettes and painting the Queen’s favourite flowers, royal animals, guards and even Buckingham Palace! The exhibition was very well received, and 8 paintings were sold, raising over £400 for Headway.
