As March 2025 approaches, I find myself reflecting on an experience that forever changed my life.  It’s been 25 years since my near-death-experience – a time that began with a normal day, and ended with an encounter beyond anything I could ever have imagined.

On the bright Spring Sunday morning of 26th March 2000, I was 7 weeks pregnant, carrying our baby.  Just eight months earlier, I had suffered a heart-breaking miscarriage.  My husband, Brian, and I had just arrived at church with our two young daughters, and the meeting had started with announcements and a baby dedication.

Hello Friends,

In my previous blog I mentioned that I would be revisiting my love of weaving again.  Well, I’m so excited to be sharing my new creation with you!  I’ve picked up where I left off a few years ago, and was inspired to create a basket and lid from upcycled newspapers.  Over the last 7 days I have been very busy with the many stages of creating the woven baskets, and I had forgotten how you need to have strong hands during some of the process.  So, it’s no wonder that I am now a bit tired, but in a happy way as I realize I hadn’t forgotten how to weave the baskets.  Working on creations can be tiring, but at the same time so rewarding and leaves you feeling so accomplished.  I am certainly happy with how the weaving turned out, and am already thinking about my next one. 

Hi Friends!

I hope you are all keeping well and warm during this exceptionally frosty weather we have been having!  I’ve certainly been getting good use of my snuggly hoody - perfect for those times when I’m at home relaxing, and just want to be cosy and snuggle up with a hot chocolate!

As I was deciding on my next blog post, I thought I would firstly use this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!  I’m believing for health, prosperity and all the very best for my friends and family, and pray this will be a very special year for us all as we pursue our dreams, aspirations and creative processes.

Hi Friends!

I hope you are all well and that you have had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones.

As I have been thinking about writing another blog, I decided it would be good to share with you the making of one of my earlier acrylic paintings created in March, this  year called “NEW SEASONS”.  It was done during the start of my time being tutored on the subject of abstact art.  I had looked at various styles of painting including Bauhaus art, Roy Lichtenstein’s art, and some of Sonia Delauney’s paintings of the 1960’s.  I particularly loved her use of bright, bold, primary colours and her geometric shapes, and felt inspired to create my own “Sonia Delauney” inspired painting incorporating similar styles of geometric shapes and concentric circles.

Hi Friends,

I thought for my next blog I’d share the story behind one of my favourite iconic pieces, “FORGIVEN & LOVED, THE WOMAN WITH THE ALABASTER JAR”.

I remember the day I went to buy the 4 ft canvas with my daughter. We took the bus to town and I made a spontaneous decision to buy the large canvas and bring it home. It was a particularly windy day, and I didn’t anticipate the challenge of getting it home - what with the wind blowing strongly, and negotiating it on the bus. The moment we stepped off onto the pavement a strong gust of wind blew the canvas, and it was as if it was a kite caught up in the wind pulling us in every direction! Just the few minutes walk home from the bus stop was tricky enough, but thankfully we made it home with the canvas in one piece lol! Note to self: Never buy a large canvas without taking the car! Lol!

Hi Friends,

This morning, as I was reminded that we need to clear the leaves from the driveway, I noticed one of my favourite trees on Bushbury Hill had almost completely lost its leaves, and I thought it would be a good time to write another blog. Thinking how the Autumn season is so picturesque, I love how the leaves on trees change into beautiful oranges, reds, yellows and browns. I’m so thankful I remembered this year to take a photo of my favourite tree which I look on to daily. It was in the midst of Autumn and it’s leaves had started changing colour. One day soon I will be sharing my painting of this and capturing a brief moment in time. So, with all of this in mind, and with this year swiftly drawing to a close as we prepare for Christmas, I thought it would be a good time to share this blog about the inspiration, concept and design of one of my recent pieces, “Bushbury Leaves”.

I’d like to express my thanks to some very special people who have been crucial in supporting me over the past year: My wonderful husband, Brian, our children, my amazing parents, and to all my dear friends who have continued to encourage me to pursue my dream.  You have all been a blessing to me!

Also, I’d like to particularly acknowledge and thank, Riccardo De Bruce, Contemporary Artist and Poet, for his dedicated mentoring and teaching for 7 months from the beginning of the year.  It has been a very special journey, and I have learnt so much for which I will always be grateful for. 

Hello Friends,

I’m so excited to be embarking on this art journey, and invite you all to become a part of it, as I share my thoughts with you on this blog.

During the Summer of 2023 I had a wonderful and profound experience in our garden, as I sat painting one of my handwoven baskets with bright red acrylic paint. As I sat in the shade one glorious sunny day, enjoying the peaceful surroundings and painting my small basket with the vivid red paint, something inside me ignited and I felt such joy and happiness. I realised then how much I had enjoyed painting, and that sooner or later I’d need to make time to paint again.

As I embark on the exciting event of starting my new Website, I reminisce my journey from the beginning of the year creating art. What better way to start my Blog Page than to include this special picture of me painting with my father this Summer.