about/contact
I started to draw and paint in Beijing, where I was taught traditional Chinese ink painting by the amazing master, Liu DaWei. I returned to UK, then to Hong Kong. Life in this unique city with its exciting multicultural blend of everything became a main stimulus behind my artwork, alongside my long time fascinations with the evolution of tradition and the power of storytelling, with its psychological and sociological power for both children and adults. I find the role of animals in all forms of storytelling particularly enthralling: in children’s literature, and in folktales.
Where my artwork accompanies texts, whether ones I’ve written or established ones within traditional storytellings, I’ve categorised it as ‘Illustration and books for children’ (although older folk may also enjoy work especially related to traditional storytelling)
Non verbal cultural expression relating to a specific place or region which has been exhibited, or is in development for this, I’ve categorised below as ‘Illustration: a Sense of Place’.
Illustration and Books for Children:
I studied for an MA in Children's Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art in 2018 which widened my artistic vision hugely & I’m still learning.
I enjoy creating non fiction and fiction illustration as picture books as well as illustrated books more broadly (wider age group). I’m happy both writing, & also illustrating others’ suitable texts.
The importance of biodiversity was the inspiration behind 2 of picture books that were published/reprinted many years ago by MCCM Creations, written & illustrated specifically for the children of Hong Kong, and endorsed by WWF (Hong Kong). I still actively support the work of WWF. I’ve really enjoyed taking these stories into most of the many international schools here, and into the local schools where English is spoken — many vibrant discussions with children from all over the globe.
I also enjoy creating illustrations for mythological & religious stories relating to cultures in which I’ve lived for long periods. I have conducted workshops for children in which they discuss these, and create their own illustrated ‘myths’. Another of my picture books published/reprinted locally by Blacksmith Books years ago was such: a an invented story relating to the formation of a local hill range (& hill fire: The Dragon’s Back), I also enjoy interfaith work, and participation in other outreach work connected with St John’s Cathedral in Hong Kong.
I’ve also enjoyed talking about the importance picture books more generally: book fairs, school courses. I’m a member of SCBWI in Hong Kong.
Illustration: A Sense of Place::
My focus is upon cultural evolution within those cultures in which I’ve lived for long periods. Focus has been upon the role of pre scientific beliefs within memory & tradition: festivals, ritual, as well as upon contemporary expressions of storytelling: people at work and at leisure. Developing work explores the evolution of other cultural traditions I’ve come to know well, presently Sino-Tibetan (NW Yunnan)
Much of my artwork is in private collections around the globe: UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, US, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sweden. I’ve enjoyed exhibiting in many group exhibitions in Hong Kong, especially at the Visual Arts Centre, TheBookshop at Museum of Art,; the Bologna Book Fair; & in UK In Cambridge, Suffolk & London. I’ve also enjoyed solo exhibitions in Beijing, at the Li Hall at St John's Cathedral in Central Hong Kong., as also within my own open studio.
I'm a Brit, an Aussie, & I’ve Hong Kong permanent residency. I like to alternate mainly between Hong Kong & Cardiff/London, but I willingly visit family & friends in Australia – and now in Boston – whenever possible.
I work in collage, sometimes semi relief, printmaking, paint, sometimes digitally. I enjoy the ephemeral nature of different papers, especially Chinese xieyi paper, which I began to use back in Beijing. I love the juxtaposition of imagined and real (photographed) light and shadow, reflecting my above philosophical interests in both fiction and non fictional contemporary storytelling.
Collaboration:
I enjoy collaboration. If you’re a publisher/agent outside Hong Kong; or if you’d like to commission me to illustrate anything suitable; or you’d like to buy any of my work, or you might be suitable gallery that might like to represent my art; or if you’d like to ask me to visit a school for workshops or to another event to present my work, please be right in contact!