Inks of Essex

01/01/2026

Raj Bisram & Bee Harford visited the studio in Southend and created some wonderful eco inks with me, leading to a spot of friendly rivalry during a painting competition.
Watch the entire episode on BBC iPlayer
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002n1nv/antiques-road-trip-series-31-20-on-yer-bike

13/01/2025

Friends, there are still some ticket left to my spotlight session on Saturday 18th January, at 3pm in the Creator Space at the back of Basildon Library.
Eventbrite link is in my bio.
You are invited to take part in an artist led show-and-tell experience in the company of myself, Sylak Ravenspine, as I take you through a guided tour of some of my most fundamental artistic inspirations concerning the landscape of Essex and the effect it has had on my work over recent years, in a frank and inciteful talk interspersed with live demonstrations and opportunities to participate in short activities at various intervals throughout the session.
BAS-ARTS-SPOTLIGHT is a test space for try-outs and presentations with an intimate audience for feedback and discussion. These sessions are made possible via a micro fund from
Photo credit: Niki Cornish

10/06/2024

Always happy to partner up with interesting venues looking to host workshops on: ink making, exploring natural pigments, brush and pen tools from recovered waste and sea plastics. Just some of the topics I've covered recently, focusing on the environment and Essex history..

If you would like a tailor-made workshop to complement your Summer programme, contact me now for a chat.

Once again, another fantastic experience commissioning Sylak for a workshop. Sylak is thorough, ...

08/03/2024

It was a pleasure to receive cultural representative and multitalented artist James Ravinet at my studio on Thursday. After talking about my processes with him, we considered the unique way that my practice targets different elements to create an authentic product representative of the landscape of Essex. We also considered the various avenues open to me in order to maximise the nature of what I am producing, and also some possible forms this could take moving forward. A very productive visit indeed.

01/03/2024

Guess who dropped by my little studio yesterday afternoon! It was a pleasure to talk with artist Gwen Simpson about her life and experience as an art therapist, her early beginnings using the simplest of drawing materials and the culture shock of moving to Britain from Rhodesia. We shared our experiences of neurodivergence and how having to cope with dyslexia has shaped our lives. We conversed over my plans this year to develop my ink making, as well as how it relates to the local environment and the people living in it, past and present; and also how my illustrations will factor into my work more moving forward.

06/12/2023

This Thursday! Join me at Trust Links Basildon for the Enchanted Garden - a free wintery event for all:
including folklore, music, workshops and more!
Trust Links Basildon is located on Vange Hill Drive behind
Vange Community Centre.