In this painting I wanted to give the background a more abstract feel to the realism in the figure. ‘A touch of doubt’ invites the viewer to recognise their own moments of hesitation - those fragile instants where self assurance wavers, yet beauty persists in the stillness of introspection. Her eyes closed as if listening to a thought she cannot quite silence. Draped in soft, textured fabric, she embodies both vulnerability and strength, suspended in the quiet space between decision and emotion. The abstract, muted background amplifies her solitude - a swirl of cool tones and restless marks that mirror the turbulence beneath her calm surface.

‘Arrival’ is the first painting on the theme of reflections. I also wanted to explore fashion and start to put together items to create a look which further enhanced the story in the paintings. Fashion is an area that will feature in more paintings in the future, my Mother was a seamstress and shared her skills with me whilst I was growing up. I can see now that this is influencing my work.

Through the mirror, the viewer is invited into a dialogue between presence and perception. Is she observing herself with approval? or searching for something deeper beneath the surface? The reflection asks quietly, who are you becoming? Time seems to pause just long enough for self-recognition to take shape.

Departure is the second painting on reflections. I was originally going in quite another direction with regard the background. When the green came out a lot more teal than I had expected, I liked this, it reminded me of the sea, gave it a cinematic quality, so I ran with it.

I do like a psychological narrative to run through my paintings, and I love to invite viewers to project their own stories of change, memory and identity.

Rich fabrics, layered pearls and deep tones of blue and black bring a sense of elegance and introspection to the scene. The woman, standing still, her gaze calm, yet distant, while her reflection turns away. The interplay between what we show and what we conceal. The textures - velvet, silk, skin and sea - echo the contrasts between strength and vulnerability. I also like to pose the question, Where has she departed from?

‘The Self’

‘Human Connection 2 - The Self’ is the second painting in the Human Connection Series. These paintings are inspired by Gustav Klimt, Louis Majorelle and the Art Nouveau style.

Painted on board and embellished with raised silver and black beading. This gives the painting sections and a tactile quality. The other paintings in the series are about connection with others, but this one is purely about the self. The figure in the circle could be ourselves in the past, or a memory or habit that we wish to forget. Perhaps someone we wish to leave in the past or disconnect from.
This is my favourite colour palette, Black, white and the spectrum of blues and purples.

‘Human Connection 3 -
People of the World’

After creating a circle in HC2, I knew that I wanted to use another circle, in a new way, in another painting, on this theme. I had recently painted the moon, in a commission, and this idea developed into making the world a focus with my ladies positioned around it. I wanted to continue my beading divisions in a similar complementary way to the theme in the other paintings.
I wanted to show people from all around the world but wanted to represent them in any colour, colours that worked in unison. The Human Connection paintings have a theme of dance and so the gestures tell a story of unity, the details reminding us we are part of something bigger. The writing in the middle section at the top is ‘Connection’ in Sanskrit.

Human Connection 4 -
The Dreamer

Human Connection 4 was a small test painting to trial out my ideas for the collection. I loved it so much that I included it. I originally was going to make the hair a lot more fluid and natural, floating and flowing behind her, but like a lot of things the idea developed and the hair became stylised shapes.

For me, this piece is about trust - trusting stillness, trusting dreams, and the beauty of quiet when we surrender control. A space between waking and dreaming a suggestion of inner peace.