trees against the sky
I find the random negative spaces tree branches make on the crests of hills against the sky quite mesmerizing. I'm still trying to find the sweet spot for my printer. Getting enough presure to pick up all the details but…
‘Matilda and the Ghost’
My next children's book. I have finally done as much editing as I think is healthy. After this I start picking on innocent sentences and rearrange them for no particular reason. Enough is enough. Now they are readable and the…
hares fighting
A multi media approach to creating an interesting composition. This painting's background was washed in with watercolours onto 300gm paper. The images of the hares were drawn onto collagraph prints I'd already done and then cut out. They were then…
boats in Porto Venere
Finished after 13 years. I'd made a rough sketch of these fishing boats while a friend and I waited for the ferry to take us to visit the Cinque Terre. I've always loved the 3 boats and their lovely flowing…
A dragon lands on my table!
Browsing the Founder's Christmas Fair stalls before opening time I found a magical stall, The Monster Hatchery, piled high with small monsters. There were all sorts of animals and a few mythical ones too. I found a dragon and bought…
New sign for markets
I always get such a startled look when I tell people I wrote AND illustrated my three fairy stories. At one of the markets a lovely lady, who obviously knew about promotional stuff, said I should display a sign drawing…
Hanmer Fete November 2025
I got to sit down at around 4pm - phew! Hanmer Springs turned on a fabulous sunny day for my second time at this Christmas market. The buzz of anticipation was motivating as everyone set up their stalls. Cars squeezed…
First market 2025
Setting up my stall in Nelson again. A cool morning - still and calm and a blue sky promising sun later when it's climbed high enough. Nelson market (https://www.nelsonmarket.co.nz/) is held in a car park behind the main street, so…
Wood cut print bush scene
A wood cut print I carved at Michel Tuffrey's wood cut and print making workshop last weekend in Nelson. It was a roller coaster ride of ideas; techniques; different wood cuts achieved from a variety of carving tools for different…
Hanmer Fete 2025
I'm excited to be selling my three children's books again at my second Hanmer Springs Fete. Held in the beautiful Queen Mary Hospital Grounds behind the hot pools. The grounds, divided into shady settings under the mature trees, make a…