My first degree is in Art History, from Leicester University, but analysing other people's paintings without producing anything myself was not a way to go, so a couple of years later I did courses in Graphic Design and Illustration at what was then St Martin's School of Art.  It was before the days of computer graphics, and Letraset seemed pretty cool!

I completed a PG Diploma in Archaeological Illustration at Swindon College in 2007 - for which I achieved a Distinction - but in breaking the mould of a hidebound genre of illustration I found my work was veering inexorably towards the humorous.  Being elected to the Professional Cartoonists' Organisation later on that year pretty well ensured I never again did a 'serious' piece of work.

I have worked for a wide range of clients over the years, including the BBC, Methuen, Blackie, Scholastic, George Philip, Corgi, Usborne, Scripture Union, Mitchell Beazley, the Girl Guides Association, Oxford Daily Information and Jasper Carrott.

I have exhibited with a range of art societies;  I am an Associate Member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, but I have also shown work in the annual exhibitions of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour, the Society of Wildlife Artists, the Society of Women Artists and the Association of Illustrators 'Images' exhibition.

I have worked in Art Education, too, and also in  Mental Health Inpatient settings;  I've facilitated workshops on behalf of the North Birmingham Children's Book Group, The Big Draw and the Shrewsbury Cartoon Festival.

I am available for illustration and cartoon commissions - I am equally comfortable with traditional and digitial media - and Community Arts projects, with a special interest in Arts in Health.