I am inspired by my immediate environment as well as places I visit – absorbing the atmosphere, the sounds of life, colours, the interesting shapes of buildings and rooftops, the curvaceous vase, the shape and colours of a flower, the pattern on a tablecloth.

Back in my studio, working from sketches and photographs, I begin by drawing a balanced composition. Using a bright palette, the painting slowly grows. Applying flat, bright areas of colour and with a strong rhythm of line, the subject matter takes on a new life, bringing a sense of harmony, joy (and often humour) to places, flowers and objects in my life – there is plenty of joie de vivre to make you happy and to make you smile.

I painted in oils some years ago but more recently I have been using acrylics. I also enjoy pen and ink sketching and am currently painting a series of black and white acrylics on canvas.