From a very young age, I fell in love with art - initially in the sense that I loved to create it. I loved to paint, draw, print, make a wonderful mess with pretty much any material I could get my hands on.

I remember first feeling a sense of ‘success’ in art when my primary teacher, Mr Biggin, set up a still life table and could not stop telling everyone how amazing my drawing of a flower was. That experience has never left me, although my parents and I are baffled as to where that sketch (lovingly framed and displayed) has gone. It almost doesn’t matter because the feeling has always stayed with me - that feeling of pride and of bring joy to others with something that I made.

As I progress through school, I became more aware of famous artists (all dead of course) but the scale of things that I saw on school trips to galleries and the way these creative should were revered stunned me. Still, it was a hobby and I never considered that I would make a career out of it because ‘art ids only worth something after they’re dead.’ This is a phrase I heard from many adults, presumably in an attempt to help ,e understand it wasn't;t a proper job and not get my hopes up too high that they would be shattered.

There are a few early gallery experiences that I recall, including a day trip to London galleries with college - my effervescent and eccentric tutor Bev leading the way never lacking energy and passion. I grew up not far from Liverpool so I was aware of the Tate Gallery from a young age,. Having said that, it didn't;t feel like a building I could enter, we just saw it when we visited the fudge shop on the docks. In high school, however, I finally made it through the rotating doors. I was in total awe - the scale of the place, the variety of art, not just in frames but also sculpture, projects and much more, and the fact that some of these people were STILL ALIVE!!!! On that trip, I discovered the joy of an art postcard, collecting a little bit of the creative genius to take home.

Some artists have stuck with me more than others…

Towards the end of 2023, I was working away on a new print and now it’s time to tell you the story of how it came to life.

Tumbling is a celebration of the wild waves of the North Sea. I went to stay in Beadnell and we were greeted with Storm Babet. Some people may see this as a time to hide away and stay cosy but I’m not one of those people. Instead I collected my sketchbook and watercolours and headed out to explore.

When buying things for our homes, budget plays a huge part. Prioritising what to spend money on is a fine balancing act and you need to make sure you are getting the most from your hard earned wages.

Artwork may seem like a frivolous investment but actually it could be more important in your home than you think.

My husband and I invested in original artworks before I worked professionally as and artist and i’m glad I did for the following 5 reasons:

• colour

• dopamine

• atmosphere

• durability

• detail

You’ve been living together for a while and you already have the perfect toaster (4 slice and it works) and you’re looking for a wedding gift list with a difference. Does this sound like you? Then you’re in the right place.

When you create a wedding list with me, you reserve your favourite limited edition linocut prints or a bespoke commission slot and your wonderful guests club together to buy them. The end result is that you end up with stunning artwork in your home to remind you of your fabulous guests for years to come. Perfect!

Many of us are spending a LOT more time in our homes than we were this time last year so it’s important that it’s a place that we love being in. I must admit that we decorated our home in a rush before our child was born and haven’t really touched it since. There are definitely things I want to change. How about you?

Change Can be Good…One really simple way to make a change is to fill your home with art that makes you smile. So what is your thing? Is it colour, nature, monochrome, metallics? Funnily enough I have something to satisfy each and every one of those desires.

Art has always been important to me. Even when I stopped making it - I felt a loss.

The short answer to the question is that I love it but it goes deeper than that. After having my daughter, I did what a lot of mums do and made my every moment about her. For the whole of maternity leave, I was Mum and nothing else. Don’t get me wrong - I am incredibly grateful and proud to be Mum. It is one of the most wonderful things I have ever experienced, but that’s one part of me and I didn’t realise that for a while.

This year more than ever before we are watching the budget. Many of you, like me, have pledged to support independent businesses this Christmas. Showing you care for someone isn’t about how much you spend - it’s about taking the time to choose something with that person in mind.