My artistic career began in 1984 when I gained a BA(Hons) in Scientific Illustration from Middlesex Polytechnic.  The degree involved zoological, botanical and medical illustration, which meant clear and accurate representation of the subject matter. It was at that time that I learned the watercolour technique that I now use for portraiture, which enabled me then to paint plants, animals and people clearly and accurately and enables me now to achieve a true likeness in a portrait.

After gaining my degree, I went on to become a freelance illustrator and, on and off, that is what I have been doing ever since.  Clients have included:  The Natural History Museum, BBC World Service, Marks and Spencer, Allied Lyons, Grants of St James, Majestic Wines, Cannon Babysafe, Dr Barnados, Sandtex Paints, Good Housekeeping Magazine, Reader’s Digest, Penguin Books, Harper Collins, Guild Publishing and Marshall Cavendish.

In 1998 I became a lecturer at Carmarthenshire College of Technology and Art, teaching watercolour painting and life drawing on the BA/HND Wildlife Illustration Course and teaching flower painting evening classes at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.  I also wrote and taught on a correspondence course for beginners in botanical illustration for the London Art College.  Whilst teaching, I studied for a Post Graduate Certificate in Education for Further and Higher Education, which I gained in 2001.