every painting has a story…

and it all begins with the back ground

Salvage, vintage, well-loved, pre-loved, abandoned, all my substrates, the  back grounds I work on,  are reclaimed wood

Wood fascinates me in all its. forms. I deeply respect this living thing, the vital role it holds in our eco-system and in human history.

Tenderly restored, only the very best quality wood is chosen for artwork. In preparing the wood it begins to reveal its secrets, and character; I start to get a feel for the adventure we will go on together creating new art.

The natural beauty of wood and the age-old human marks on each piece have their story to tell. Worn, weathered, patterned and textured these captivate me, firing my imagination and an irresistible urge to create.

I explore ideas of connection and identity with our planet – the precarious relationship between humans and the forces of nature runs throughout my work. As a sustainable artist, I take as little as possible from our planet apart from this abundant inspiration. Expressing these ideas in reclaimed wood, combining our stories together is an absolute privilege

 

Painting intuitively and with energy, I follow the wood’s lead through rich layers of colour and texture; adjusting composition in response to suggestions from the substrate itself; chiselling; burning; sculpting; exposing hidden secrets and celebrating the wood’s new life.

      Then…

 

there is a compelling moment when it seems

wood and paint actively collaborate with me, and the painting takes on a voice and 

story of its very own.

And the new painting is born

 

 

 

your painting, your story

Finding a piece of art that truly resonates with you, your personal story and your values, is a wonderful experience in itself. By owning original artwork, with history and values  discovering the piece that is right for you, you become a part of the creative process and the story behind the painting. Uniquely calling your name, becoming part of your life you will cherish for it years to come as your stories entwine overtime….. happily ever after!

 

Old Wood - NEWS letter!

Sign up below to receive exclusive access to my studio, first sight of new work, and special invitations to events.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

AND THE INSIDE STORY…..


In recent years, my studio focus
has combined my fine-art background with expertise in working with wood in all its forms, experimenting with two and three dimensional approaches to explore the relationship between colour, light, texture and movement.

I work mostly in an outdoor studio giving abundant fresh open air and daylight.

I ensure my practice, resources and methods are as sustainable and carbon neutral as possible; this fundamental to my work.


As well as opening my studio and workshop, I regularly exhibit in galleries across the UK: Nottingham, Southampton, Halifax, London and Bath

My paintings are owned by collectors in the UK, Europe and the USA, including a number of commissions.

I bought one of Jenny’s paintings because I instantly loved it. I now look at it often and see new aspects each time… the unassuming detail never ceases to amaze… The colours and shapes seem to change with the light”.

John Pearce ‘Birches- May’ (UK)

 

There’s a darkness to this painting in so many different shades. There are holes, bumps, scratches even slashes in the skillfully and bravely reclaimed wood. But there are also vibrant reds glowing and a shaft of bright light to remind you that there’s always hope!”

(david cobbin ‘HOPE’)

“MY painting evokes such a sense of serenity, as if I were in the woods, amongst the trees. The natural Beauty captured in this piece is breathtaking;  colours that envelop my sensations,  bathing me in peace and tranqulity and dappled light that takes my soul to the heart spring rising in forest.  A CALM heaven of my own”

ANGELA GLEASON ‘GREENWOOD in SPRING’  (FLORIDA USA)

Old Wood - NEWS letter!

Sign up below to receive exclusive access to my studio, first sight of new work, and special invitations to events.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

CURRENT Events

BANKS MILL OPEN STUDIOS

BANKS MILL, BRIDGE ST DERBY, DE1 3LB

Click here for more details

WHISPERS ON THE WIND

SOLO SHOW 

HECKINGTON WINDMILL,  HECKINGTON, 

LINCOLNSHIRE, NG34  9JW

Click here for more details

THE ENTERPRISE CENTRE

GROUP EXHIBITION

University of Derby, Bridge St, 

Derby DE1 3DL

Click here for more details

DERBY HERITAGE CENTRE

GROUP EXHIBITION OF WORK AND SALES

11 Sadler Gate, Derby

DN1 3NF

Click here for more detail,

Available originals

Join me

Old Wood - NEWSletter

Want to find out more about my adventures in art?

Receive behind the scenes updates on my current work and exclusive thank-you offers as a member of my community when you sign up below for my e-newsletter!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

“Everything has the energy of its making inside it”

Andy Goldsworthy

PREVIOUS EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS

2024

 

MELBOURNE ART FESTIVAL, Art and Architecture Trail, Melbourne, Derbyshire

*LOVE LETTERS FROM THE EARTH AGE (SOLO SHOW), BANKS MILL GALLERY, Derby.

UNDERCURRENTS, (Group Show) Cupola Contemporary Art Gallery, Sheffield 

KIRKSTALL ART TRAIL (Collaborative Group Show)  ROGUE GALLERY PROJECT, Kirkstall

HE BELONGS TO ME (Group Show) COLES GALLERY, Leeds

ENGLAND IS A FOREST A collaborative and experimental illustrated forest curated by SMALL WORKS, Sluice [Vernacular] Expo, Colchester..

THE COMMONS, Brighton and SANB@NES Art Collaborative  Project, Exhibition and Interactive workshops, Fringe Arts Bath

ARTISANS UNCOVERED (Group Show) The Silk Mill, Derby

Museum and Art Gallery. Derby

DERBYSHIRE OPEN ARTS, (Open Studios) THE PUMP ROOM, Buxton

MAKING A MARK – INFORMED BY INK (Group Show) SAAN 1 Gallery, 

Manchester

MINATURES REVISITED (Group Show) Cupola Contemporary Art

Gallery, Sheffield

ARTISANS UNCOVERED (Group Show) The Wardwick, Derby

Museum and Art Gallery. 

UNDER THE BED SALE (Group Show/sale) Cupola Contemporary Art

Gallery, Sheffield

 

2021-23

DONINGTON MANOR FARMHOUSE,  Castle Donington, Leics.

BANKS MILL OPEN STUDIOS, Derby

CORNUCOPIA (Group Show), Cupola Contemporary Gallery,

Sheffield.

A LETTER IN MIND (Group Show) Gallery Different, London

BLAKE (Group Show), Central Square and Atrium, Leeds

TRAILS (Group Show), Turner House Gallery, Cardiff

SUMMER OPEN (Group Show), Sock Gallery, Loughborough

POWER (Group Show), D31 Gallery, Doncaster

DELPHIC (Group Show), Cupola Gallery, Sheffield

TRESSPASS (Group Show),  Bath Fringe Festival  Bath

DERBYSHIRE OPEN ARTS, Open Studios. Richmond Village, Aston in Trent, Derbyshire

HOPE (Group Show), Doncaster Art Fair.

LIGHT (Group Show) The Open Gallery, Halifax

20x20 VISION (Group Show) Blue House Yard Gallery, London

INSPIRATIONAL  WOMEN ARTISTS, (Group Show) GHT Gallery,

Southampton

Idle Valley Nature Reserve (Group Show) 

ParkinsonArt (Group Show)

Lock-Down- Pop-Up (Duo Show)