Artist's Statement
I was born in Pittenweem, in the East Neuk of Fife, and have always felt a deep connection to the sea and surrounding landscape.
I trained at Edinburgh College of Art, gaining a BA (Hons) and continuing as a postgraduate student; one of my tutors, John Houston, was an early influence. I was elected RSW in 2001.
My studio now sits on a wooded hillside overlooking Loch Awe in Argyll, and this landscape – filtered through memory – is the source and continuing inspiration for my work.
I work intuitively, using energetic overlayerings of colour to find a balance between texture, movement and form. Initially I allow myself to be led by the paint and the marks, later taking control of the medium, hoping not to lose the initial immediacy. My aim is to evoke in the viewer an emotional response that reflects my own.
My work is shown in galleries throughout the UK and held in numerous corporate and public collections, including Robert Fleming Holdings, Edinburgh College of Art, the Royal Bank of Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland, Bank of Scotland, the Scottish Arts Club, the Royal College of Physicians and Eli Lilly Industries.
CV
Awards & memberships
• 2024 Sir William Gillies Award, RSW Annual Exhibition
• 2001 Elected RSW
• 1999 Mabel McKinley Art Prize, Royal Glasgow Institute
• 1996 Eli Lilly Purchase Prize
• 1991 The Scottish Arts Club Award
• 1991 Scottish Society of Women Artists Special Award
• 1988 Hospitalfield Scholarship
Professional memberships: RSW, SSA, VAS.
Public & corporate collections
Robert Fleming Holdings (London) · Edinburgh College of Art · National Trust for Scotland · Royal Bank of Scotland · Adam and Company · Bank of Scotland · Royal College of Physicians (Edinburgh) · Eli Lilly Industries (Surrey) · Morrison Construction · Scottish Arts Club · Numerous private collections in the UK & abroad.
Selected solo exhibitions
• 2024 Autumn in Bronze and Blue, Doubtfire Gallery, Edinburgh (two-person)
• 2021 New Paintings, Aberfeldy Gallery
• 2012 Kilmorack Gallery, Beauly (with Allan Macdonald)
• 2007 Porthminster Contemporary, St Ives
• 2001 The Scottish Arts Club, Edinburgh
• 2000–26 Pittenweem Arts Festival, Fife
