My work takes place in my studio and my attic. I'm inspired by my obsession with Labradors and other dogs I meet in the park while walking my chocolate Labrador Brulee. Brulee is three years old but full of beans, she loves nothing better than having a swim in the sea or a muddy puddle! Her favourite walk is a ball and throw stick walk - she runs like a race horse and doesn't tire easily. She loves cheese, milk and especially a creamy yoghurt pot to clean. She is the first dog I have ever had that likes to bury dog bones around the house and fetch them when she feels hungry! After a long day she enjoys a rest on the end of a cosy bed and lots of affection.
I have lived in Cellardyke in the East Neuk of Fife for almost four years now and I've started to sketch the local rooftops with greedy gulls and boats by the harbour. Cellardyke has lovely houses surrounding the harbour and many beautiful coastal walks nearby.
My ceramic Pesky Vases depict stories of what Brulee and I see on our walks towards Crail from curlytails to caves and of course Brulee trying to get me to throw sticks into the sea for her!
My vases also capture my observations of other dogs and people in parks. I take some inspiration from a group of walkers in Inverleith Park in Edinburgh that I call the dog brigade as they meet every morning rather early and walk in a huge group together gossiping and sharing stories, standing out with their barbour jackets and fancy hats. I like to draw people wearing over sized winter coats and dogs misbehaving like the little old lady trying to hurry up her pooch by encouraging him to "C'mon son".
Another inspiration is my parent's dogs Honey and Emma. Honey used to visit me in Edinburgh and loved to chase the sea-gulls and would not let them land! She is also the only dog I know that insists on drinking straight from the sink when indoors but is perfectly happy to guzzle from a stinky puddle when outside! Emma is the greediest lab in the world so hungry that she ate my mum's ornamental cabbages one day!
I also make large Labrador sculptures which have drawings and markings on their bodies telling a story about an incident. These are made using porcelain paper clay and chicken wire frames which slump while firing adding to the exaggerated character of the piece.
Finally I make a range of Pesky Badges that have my illustrations of cakes, eggs, gulls and much more! All vary in size and add an interesting detail to tops, jackets or bags.
My website is simply a showcase of work I have made and is now in galleries or sold, if you are interested in any of my work please get in contact to find out where I will be exhibiting next or you can find galleries that stock my work in the News page.
Enjoy having a look around!