BIO/WORK EXPERIENCE


Born and raised in Canada, I obtained a degree in Fine Art and Theatre Design at the University of Victoria before moving to London, England, to pursue a career in theatre. For many years, I made props and scenic elements for lots of west end shows - CATS, Phantom of the Opera, Aspects of Love, Miss Saigon, among others - before deciding to re-engage with my art practice, completing an MA in Drawing at Camberwell College of Art in 2008. I have since exhibited in numerous group and solo shows in London, and have work in private collections in the UK and Canada.


EDUCATION
MA Drawing, Camberwell College of Art, London, 2008
Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA), University of Victoria, BC, Canada, 1985

WORK
2017 - onwards: Private drawing classes for a group of adults keen to extend their skills in observational drawing. We work from still lifes or reference photos,  and on location in good weather, exploring all drawing media. During covid we worked online, which we still use when I am not in London. The group has produced an enormous body of work. 

2018 - 2019: CATS in Vienna - coordinated a team to refurbish an existing set, then went to Vienna to install it and dress the set. 

2018 - 2019: Artist in Residence, Hugh Myddelton and Winton schools, London. Gave art workshops to every age group across both schools - portraiture, perspective, life drawing, still life, set design .  

2014 - 2016: Scenic Props Coordinator on 5 new productions of CATS, the Musical -  for Royal Caribbean Cruises, the London Palladium, Theatre Mogador Paris, Neil Simon Theatre Broadway, NYC, and a new UK touring set.

2012 - 2019: Teaching artist, Dulwich Picture Gallery. Workshops had a landscape focus but also included life drawing, still life study and link to paintings in the permanent collection of Dulwich Picture Gallery as well as temporary exhibitions.

2011 - 2012: Canadian Artist in Residence, Dulwich Picture Gallery. Led workshops focusing on landscape, inspired by the landscapes of the Group of Seven and other Canadian landscape artists. Students ranged in age from 3 - 90, and were taught at the Gallery, and in schools and community centres.

2008 - 2019: South London Women Artists (SLWA). Helped establish a presence for a group of women artists, engaging in the selection process for and hanging of group exhibitions, assisting in coordinating professional development lectures and critiques, workshops, AGMs, and contributing to the website.

2011: Art History teacher, Thomas’s School, Clapham. Taught an overview of art history to year 8 students, looking at a range of themes in key western paintings, culminating in a trip to Tate Modern to see the Miro Exhibition.

2010 - 2011: Scenic Props Coordinator on two touring productions of CATS - a refurbishment (for Brazil) and a new build, for Germany and Europe. I have been chief props coordinator and set dresser for CATS since 1989, and have overseen 19 new builds and numerous set refurbishments since then.

2009 - 2011: Art Technician, Thomas’s School Clapham. In addition to maintaining the department supplies and assisting in occasional teaching,  I organised a programme of visiting artists, mounting individual exhibitions of their work as well as a final exhibition of work by all participating artists.

2007 – 2008: French teacher and tutor, Home Education Study Group, weekly small-class lessons of children aged 6 - 11

2005 – 2006: French teacher, Rosendale Primary School - weekly classes of children aged 3 - 7 plus the gifted group of year 5 children.

1998 - 2005: French teacher, Noah’s Ark Pre-Prep - weekly lessons of children aged 5 - 7. Noting a lack of age-appropriate teaching materials, I designed my own set of worksheets and visual aids that referenced the local area and made learning French more relevant to these children.

1986 - 2005: Theatrical Propmaker, at various scenic studios and workshops in London. Built props for CATS, Miss Saigon, Aspects of Love, Chess, Phantom of the Opera among others. Worked on installations for the Imperial War Museum, Chatham Historic Dockyards, Tower Bridge Experience.