My career in the arts has become multifaceted but still with an overriding trajectory of making art. A series of factors and serendipity have led me to be established as not only an artist but as a facilitator of the arts. This is a privileged position to be in because the arts have always been central in my life and I know their value and importance in our lives at a time when they are feeling very undermined as their status is diminished within our schools and our sector is decimated because of the pandemic. As always there are some bright lights shining through and we are all finding new and innovative ways to be creative and to share creativity and culture with others. As an Arts Consultant and Arts Producer I get to be involved with these ‘bright lights’ and help artists and organisations bring their concepts to fruition.
I have been making art since I was a child, using oil paints aged seven to paint my dog Jason’s portrait. I was given the Ladybird book of Artists and was immediately drawn to Vincent van Gogh’s painting ‘Fishing boats in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer’ and went on to become fascinated by his story and his artwork. He still holds a special place in my heart. It was this that made me know I wanted to be a painter. I haven’t really changed from that, all my life has been involved in making art and being creative in practice and outlook. The second greatest art influence was Marc Rothko, the experience of sitting in ‘The Rothko Room’ in the Tate as an art student totally transformed what I wanted to achieve in my art.
The rest, as they say, is history. I went on to become an art teacher after completing my fine art degree. I took a masters degree in art education, took further training in primary and further education to give me a breadth of knowledge relating to art in the ‘formal’ education system. I continued to make art throughout and exhibited at The Women Artists Slide Library, then situated in Brixham, at Camden Arts Centre and at Birmingham Custard Factory Gallery.
My route into self employment and a more localised arts practice coincided with the birth of my daughter, both life changing experiences. As a new mother I became more interested in Women artists and particularly conceptual artist Mary Kelly, who is still a continued inspiration to my practice. More recently I have become very interested in Rachel Whiteread’s work after seeing her relatively recent exhibition at Tate Britain.
If you would like to purchase or commission me to create work for you please contact me or if you would like me to work with me in my capacity as a Producer or as a Consultant.
To conclude my ‘about me’ I am currently exploring new ways of working and thinking. Exciting and scary times.
AML 