‘I was born and grew up in Chesham, a market town in the beautiful landscape of the Chiltern Hills north west of London. It’s where I still live, and I belong to an Anglican Church in the town. After working free-lance as a calligrapher and illuminator for many years, I studied at The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts in London, gaining a Master’s Degree, with Distinction, in Traditional Arts. I now work as an illuminator and ceramicist. ‘A Place of Grace’, is my first book, and I’m delighted to be able to share my work in a new way.
My work is characterised by precision and fine detail. Illumination is the use of gold, (or other metals), in either leaf or powdered form; these are applied with the techniques that were used in medieval manuscripts. The addition of tiny semi-precious jewels help to contribute a ‘medieval richness’ to the work.
My inspiration comes from medieval art, nature and my Christian faith. Through adopting and adapting ideas and principles from medieval sources and natural forms, my aim is to create works that are beautiful, giving pleasure to the viewer, while also expressing Christian truths. I draw on many sources from our wonderful heritage and tradition: in the marinade of creative imagination, visual quotations from medieval tiles, stained glass, fabrics, wood- and stone-carving, as well as manuscripts, are translated into my own work.
At the Prince’s School, I came to appreciate the principles and practice of geometry and these have become an important part of my work, for they help to bring harmony and beauty to a composition. The patterns of traditional art reflect nature in a way that is very different from many contemporary artistic practices, and offer a nourishing, complementary alternative.
Medieval craftsmen saw geometry as a reflection of the beauty of Divine order in Creation. They understood that geometry underpins Creation, from the tiniest flower (and smaller) to the movement of the planets. This was reflected in their work as they used the geometry that is the basis of the natural world to express deep symbolic meaning.
I see my own work as a continuation of this rich, ancient tradition and way of seeing.
OLIVE TREE MEDITATIONS is the name under which I publish my books, cards and prints.’