ABOUT

I’m a Scottish painter based in Edinburgh and working from my home studio. In general, my practice explores the expressiveness of the human figure, though I paint landscapes too. I began pursuing art later in life after a career as a psychological therapist. I’ve been developing my practice for some years now through classes and courses, and more recently I completed the painting course at Leith School of Art 2022 – 2024.

The process of exploration and experimentation is important to me, and finding new ways of working is always fascinating and often fruitful. I see my work as very much a process which is in development, and one that often seems outwith my hands.

In painting figures, what I find most compelling is exploring the many and various ways in which people express themselves and how these can be conveyed in a painting. My work often features people captured in moments of stillness or motion, composure or play, engagement or solitariness. What I’d like to think is that there exists a certain sense of intimacy, and that we’re being invited to reflect on the subjects’ inner lives.

Also, I love to capture naturalistic movement – sometimes a particular gesture or gracefulness, poise or attitude, but at others the physical awkwardness of a body in motion.

By contrast in my urban landscapes people are notably absent but for me nonetheless they are still a ‘presence’ somehow, in as much as the evidence of their lives and activities is still evident in various ways.

I like to think that throughout my work, whether urban landscapes or figure paintings, there exists an ambiguity or sense of intrigue, and that there is space for the viewer to interpret the painting as they will.

My paintings have been exhibited by the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour, the Society of Scottish Artists, Visual Arts Scotland and in The Royal Scottish Academy’s Annual Exhibition in Edinburgh and the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition in London.

Exhibitions

2025

VAS Biennial Exhibition The Thread That Pulls | Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh

The Secret Coast for Fine Art Prize hosted by Tighnabruaich Gallery Honourable Mention

ING Discerning Eye Exhibition | The Mall Galleries, London

The Big Art Show | Paisley Art Department, Paisley

Book of Dreams A new primer Annual Exhibition | St Margaret’s House, Edinburgh

Summer Exhibition | The Royal Academy, London

Paisley Art Institute 136th Annual Exhibition | The Glasgow Art Club | Recipient of The Karl Stern Creative Figurative Award |

2024

SSA 126th Annual Exhibition | Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh | Recipient of The Paintbox School of Art Award |

WHAT IN THE WORLD a new primer Annual Exhibition | St Margaret’s House, Edinburgh |

Solo Exhibition THE TOWPATH | The Arts Centre, Penicuik, Edinburgh|

Summer Salon | Detail Art Gallery, Edinburgh |

VAS Centenary Show NOW AND THEN | Dalkeith Palace, Edinburgh |

RSA 198th Annual Exhibition | Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh |

RSW 143rd Annual Open Exhibition | Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh |

2023

PCCA Open Exhibition, Penicuik, Edinburgh | Award Winner |

2020, 2021, 2022, 2223 and 2024

LSA Summer Exhibitions, Year Long Courses, Leith School of Art | Edinburgh |