How long have you been creating?

I guess I have been creating for as long as I can remember! I followed sensible advice at school and studied academic rather than creative subjects-I don't come from a particularly artistic family background so my artistic ability was not encouraged as a serious pursuit, but it never went away and I began to realise that my need to create and express myself artistically was intrinsically a part of me and was the path I had to follow.

I guess I'm mainly self-taught, but went back to college to study fine art and design part time for a year when my children were young, which was a fantastic experience and gave me the confidence to take myself seriously as an artist.

What is your media of choice?

Tricky question-whatever inspires me at the time!

I love textile work,especially silk which I dye by hand, but also acrylic paints because of their versatility.

Mixing all kinds of textures with paint,found objects,fabrics and making them 'work' together is exciting and spontaneous-there is always a point where you think "what if?..." and you never know where it will lead!

At the other end of the scale for working detailed and complex pieces I like the control of soft pastels or colour pencil work.

What are you motivations for creating?

Everything around me! Colours,children,seasons....I keep prolific notes so as not to forget ideas and usually keep several pieces under development at a time, so I can go work on something else if I feel a piece is not working and need a new approach.

I am most motivated when life is full and a little hectic, I find I focus my time better and get the most out of an hour in the studio. A day away from my studio fills me full of ideas for when I do get the chance to get back in there so is often followed by a late night.

I long for full days of uninterrupted creativity, but actually find it harder to stay focussed when that occurrs and need a list to organize my time!

What other artists or movements inform your work?

So many. I discover new inspirations all the time!

I love the work of Teesha Moore right now. Long term favourites include Georgia O'Keeffe and Victoria Frances.

What do you find visually stimulating right now?

I am always drawn to the coasts of Cornwall for inspirations and spend ages pondering rockpools, collecting shells and beach debris and photographing rock formations. It never ceases to fill me with wonder and the energy to create.

Read anything good lately?

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen Donaldson.

Tell us about some of your artistic goals for 2007.

I aim to develop more three-dimensional pieces and continue to build on my skills and stay fresh and open to new ideas.

I am also about to start a life-drawing course this September to develop this area in my work which is a challenge I look forward to!

What would you like your fellow EBSQ artists and our collectors to know about you and/or your work?

The more I create the more inspired I get so I guess they will be seeing alot more of my work and hope they will enjoy it!