I was born in Dumbarton, Scotland and spent my formative years in Blantyre, Malawi, Africa.  I returned to the UK in the 1970s with my family.  Having not undertaken any formal art at school, it wasn’t until the age of 15 that my neighbour Marjorie, a keen watercolour enthusiast introduced me to painting and drawing through her art group when I modelled for them.  From then on I was bitten and took up the passion for art. I have studied at  Art and Design at Foundation level at York College and then graduated in 1986 in BA Honours from Leeds University in Visual Arts.  Over the years I've done private commissions for paintings, drawings and illustrations and continue to do so.