It’s been three years since I explored the beautiful, haunting wildernesses of Patagonia, Chile during my honeymoon. A lot has happened since then: a global pandemic and a baby to name just a few of the major events. But no matter where else I travel or where this new phase in life takes me, painting ..read more

There aren’t many wild areas on this island. There are few natural habitats left where flowers are free to bloom with the seasons, but nature is incredibly adaptable and versatile. The greatest of oak trees grows from a tiny seedling, and alpines can grow on the harshest, steepest winter slopes. And even in Malta, nature ..read more

Whether you’re shocked by invasions of privacy, selling of personal data, an overabundance of propaganda, or simply tired of algorithms, there are plenty of reasons to quit social media. If you’re an artist or small business, there are probably even more. We’re told that we must be on every social media channel going, that we ..read more

Abstract art is the visual that goes beyond the representational. Abstract art does not depict accurate forms or reality, but relies on colours and their juxtaposition, form, line, shapes and marks to tell a story. So, not limited by any representational form, abstract art should be easy, right? With no template or box to restrain your creativity, it can look like just about anything. No one can decide whether it is good or bad. Perception is in the eye of the artist, as much as the viewer. Is any of this true? Can you create bad abstract art? I won’t get into the nitty gritty of the abstract ..read more

Just two days after emerging from quarantine in Malta, we found ourselves back in lockdown as the coronavirus surges around us. With nowhere to go and with a new appreciation for just how risky it is to go out, this was the perfect time for me to get back into my art studio, after a very quiet few months. I decided to challenge myself to an entire day in the studio. It was a personal challenge, escaping the monotony of quarantine and mum life and seeing how much I could get done. I thought about what I wanted to paint or draw and made myself a list of goals, with no idea if I’d get any results ..read more

Have you ever heard of an Axolotl? Known as the “walking fish” this almost translucent aquatic creature is actually a salamander that retains its juvenile form with visible gills into adulthood. It’s also the first animal in my Wild ABCs collection of paintings, inspired by my four-month-old son (who’s already growing so fast I wish he could remain in his baby form forever, rather like the Axolotl). I could have gone for the conventional A is for ant or B is for bear in this series, but I believe there’s added value in teaching the next generation about more than just the obvious. The natural ..read more

When I started painting, I’d been given an old box of oil paints that my brother had found in his garage. I’m not sure who they belonged to, but I was encouraged to try them, having never touched an oil paint tube before. The results weren’t excellent, but with just one canvas and a few rather knackered paints, I’d discovered a new direction. Thirteen years later, I’m still painting. Painting supplies and art supplies in general can be expensive and knowing what you need and what is a fancy extra can be confusing. I’ve put together a list of my art supplies must-haves, if you’re just getting s ..read more

As a child, I’d always illustrate the stories I wrote. I’d fold a piece of A4 paper in half and design a full book cover, with blurb, barcode and all. Now I have a child, I’ve been thinking about how my art has changed, and how it needs to change. A new baby to care for inevitably means a more practical mindset, and I’ve been wanting to take my Cosmic Nature series in a new direction for some time, I just never knew where. I want art that can be more functional instead of space-consuming, reusable, relevant and yes, perhaps a touch sentimental. I’m also a little bit selfish, that I want my chi ..read more

Inspiration can come from anywhere. For me it often comes from looking up at the stars. So when I was gifted my first telescope a few Christmasses ago, I couldn’t wait to start stargazing. If you’re looking to get started on some observations of your own to inspire your art or just for fun, the Celestron Travelscope could be perfect. As a child, my house was full of encyclopaedias. Christmas and birthday gifts, everything from Big Cats, Elephants, Bears and Whales to beautiful, glossy photographs of lionfish, dinosaurs and the planets. I’d always had an interest in space as a child, fascinated ..read more

Every winter, huge flocks of starlings put on a spectacular display on the seafront of Aberystwyth, Wales, during their nightly commute to roost on the pier. They gather in vast numbers and perform their beautiful acrobatics, known as ‘murmurations’. The same spectacle plays out every single year. But all around the world, while nature’s rhythms were unaffected, our winter looked quite different. Find out more about Aberystwyth’s starlings on my sister’s photography blog: greyfeatherphotography As birds migrated south and animals stocked up their fat stores for the cold season, the huge crowds ..read more