I spent the first 20 years of my creative career as a graphic designer but always felt like a square peg in a round hole, knowing deep down that my real strengths lay in illustration and hand lettering. After taking a year off to travel in my mid thirties I decided to return to University part time to concentrate on developing my illustration skills. Fitting my studies in around my job was challenging but rewarding and it was during this time that I discovered my passion for printmaking.

I graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a first class degree in 2009 and spent a busy couple of years building up my business in my spare time. In 2012 decided to leave behind my graphic design career to become a full time illustrator. I now feel very lucky to be doing the work I love every day.

I still love travelling and that is where I find much of my inspiration. I always come home full of fresh enthusiasm and new ideas after a trip away.

The lettering and illustrations in my prints are all created by hand, starting off as tiny doodles in my sketchbook. I complete the finished pieces using ink (if I want the design to be bold and striking) or pencil and watercolours (for a softer look). The designs are then either transferred to a lino block for hand printing or output on my giclée printer using fade resistant, archival inks.

I keep computer usage to a minimum, using it mainly as a tool to rescale and clean up my artwork. I like to leave evidence of all the human quirks and imperfections though, in today's increasingly digitised world I think that's something to be cherished.