As an amateur artist I took up painting after I retired as a senior lecturer in physical education at the University of North London. During my very active working life I had no time for painting, as I was busy bringing up two daughters, looking after three horses as well as two dogs and a husband. I was also involved with the Pony Club and weekly gymkhanas and cross-country events that took up most of my spare time. It wasn't until I took early retirement after our move to the New Forest that I busied myself with painting. My artistic flair started in the stable block (of all places) as the stables needed serious attention before opening up as a riding holiday centre. Once the inside and outside of the house had also been completed, we opened up for business.

I also attended evening classes, learning French and Italian and it was there that I met a wonderful professional artist who specialised in painting dogs and horses. This was the direction I needed and I soon began to realise I had a passion for drawing animals, especially horses and that was how my real painting career began. Since then I became involved in photography painting from my photos using a medium of pastel and oil. My style could be called flamboyant, as I love movement coupled with lots of colours. I joined various Societies and began exhibiting with Paws run by Roy Chaffin (a well known wildlife artist) participating for a number of years and winning a major award "best of Pastel painting". I also exhibited with the Women's Artists in London, St. Barbs in Lymington, NEWA (Nature in Art), Ringwood Art Society and at several galleries in Lymington, New Milton and Warminster, including Bristol Zoo as a member of the Wildlife Art Society.

After the loss of our horses over the last few years and the passing of my husband I decided to follow my other dream, exploring far away parts of the world. I visited Qua Zulu Natal, Thailand, Nepal, Borneo, South Americas, various countries and civilizations, Costa Rica, Mexico, India and back to my favourite country, Africa (Namibia) and most recently the Galapagos Islands. I consider myself so lucky in having the opportunity of photographing wildlife in their natural habitat. They say travelling broadens the mind, how right they are. I have had so many wonderful experiences and I derive great pleasure painting animals as studies and in their natural environment. If I can instil the same pleasure with my pictures in other people I shall be satisfied. My aim for the future is just carrying on to give my best, accept failures and rejoice in success, and as regards to travelling the world, yes please, more of the same.