I always loved drawing at school, and wanted to go on to study art at college but never made it through the college door due to severe social anxiety. I only took up art again in the past few years when I thought I'd have a go at drawing Exmouth seafront (my home town). However, I really wanted to draw animals, but was afraid I wouldn't be able to draw fur (I didn't know how!) So I decided to throw caution to the wind and try drawing my rescue dog. Things progressed from there really.

I use colour pencils and gouache for most of my work. Although quite a slow process - particularly on larger pieces, I love the precision and control you can get with pencils, and the gouache just finishes off the final details. I've tried watercolour a few times, but it has a mind of its own which I find frustrating!

I love drawing nature and wildlife/animals. I cannot get out as much as I used to because I have ME/CFS, so drawing the outdoors and beautiful animals somehow makes me feel part of the world again. Some days it is difficult enough getting out of bed, or even shower, so I must make sure to pace myself so as not to end up paying for it the next day, week or even month/s! With CFS and also depression/anxiety (which I have suffered with for years), you can lose your way and not feel like you have any purpose in life. Drawing gives me that purpose, and as long as I am careful not to overdo it, I feel a huge sense of achievement when I've completed a picture.

Brian May (who said my drawing was 'stupendous' and said I had a 'wonderful talent') is now the owner of my original badger drawing (I've named the badger Brian. Naturally!) I'm also particularly pleased with my Exmouth Marina drawing, which was purchased by the director of Eagle One who built the Marina. Ladram Bay asked me to draw their iconic private beach too, which they have displayed in their reception at the park.

I regularly donate my prints and also some originals to rescues and charities. So far I have donated to the Save Me Trust, Hedeghog Hut, Hedgehog Shack, Hope for hedgehogs Woodside and several against cull organisations (badgers, foxes etc)