I was born in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. As a child and young woman, my major passion was drawing and painting and I seriously considered pursuing a career as an artist. However, this was the age of abstract art, and a tutor at a local art college was sufficiently dismissive of my work so as to persuade me to take the academic route instead. 

I subsequently qualified and practiced as a solicitor and, following the birth of my eldest son, turned to the educational field, training the next generation of lawyers. I continue to lecture, on a part-time basis, at the College of Law in Guildford. Rather bizarrely, if you Google my name, in addition to this website, you will find me as a co-author of a text book on Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Litigation! 

During much of this period, although I did take up my pencils and brushes from time to time, my creative side was stifled. In the summer of 2008, I started to paint again in earnest, discovered soft pastels, and the passion was reignited.  I now have an overwhelming urge to paint faces and to capture something of the essence of the sitters. I have no idea where this compulsion comes from, or why it has overtaken me at this stage of my life. All I know is that this is what I have to do. 

I live in Staines, close to Heathrow Airport, with my husband, three children and a dim-witted but adorable cocker spaniel.