I have always had a huge interest in art. I originally attended an enamelling course for five years at the Bristol School of Art and Design under the tutorship of Elizabeth Turrell. I also combined this with a silversmithing and jewellery making course.
I have been an active member of the Guild of Enamellers for many years, being a regional representative up to 2009. Attending the yearly conferences and meeting many like minded passionate enamellers, has helped broaden my interest.
I was awarded the Maureen Carswell award for the entrant gaining the highest marks at Craftsman level and the Kenneth Benton Award for the most original and innovative use of enamelling in any technique. I have also won the Enameller Elect award, chosen by members at conference, in several years.
My recent work uses the natural formation of various tree burrs to give inspiration to my design which incorporates use of the oxy-acetylene torch and sgraffito techniques. Pure silver foil is applied onto the surface to enhance and give additional detail to the image.
Looking to change the shape of the flat surface of the metal, I have experimented using a doming press, an oxy-acetylene torch, fold forming, etching and repoussé to change the shape of the surface and edges of the pieces which I am working on. Enamelling using this technique involves a lot of time-consuming processes that, hopefully, produce original and always unrepeatable pieces of work.
Guild of Enamellers Conference 2019
Awarded Enameller Elect and also won the Chairman’s Rose Bowl
