In this painting, I wanted to capture the comfort of a mother’s love. You can almost feel the kiss of the lioness on her cub’s head. The warm feeling echoed by the deep and rich orange of the savannah. The lioness is painted in lots of detail, whereas the brushstrokes are looser on the cub. I think this captures a sort of fuzzy feeling that we feel when we are being kissed!
A painting made from a playful array of brushstrokes and colours. It reminds me of Simba from The Lion King, a film that is very important for me. When I was a child, I watched The Lion King so many times that I broke the cassette! In this painting, I wanted to capture both the cute innocence of the cub, but also the instinctive focus that will soon become lethal!
The lion sits in his cave, looking out with eager care. His immense power and strength are displayed in his main. C.S. Lewis uses Aslan to tell the story of Christ in The Chronicles of Narnia. For me, this painting almost feels like Jesus/Aslan waking up at the resurrection, the light shining through the open entrance of the tomb.
From the book Garden Song. Illustrating Psalm 22 - “Save me from the mouth of the lion”. This is the same psalm Jesus quotes on the cross when he exclaims - “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”. In this psalm, the mouth of the lion is being used as a metaphor for death. In my drawing, the bright white teeth cut through the black background like chisels. The lion’s head appears without a body, almost as if it is emerging out of nowhere, catching us by surprise. The harsh scratchy marks in the background cut into the paper and make angles like daggers, and the lack of colour creates an eerie, intense and lifeless feeling. I wanted to capture the moment when we feel overwhelmed by resistance in life. When we are overcome by fear and opposition, and things feel hopeless in the face of our own savage lions. This is the darkness Jesus went into on the cross, but he also overcame it when he overcame death. This drawing is a reminder of that.
In this painting, I wanted to capture the beauty and power of a lioness. The energetic background reflects the passion of her roar, and the swirling whites and bright blues almost feel electric. She is charged up and asserting herself.
In this drawing, I wanted to capture the stern authority of a lioness. Her intense, fixed gaze looks into the distance. To create a sense of movement and atmosphere, I used loose marks and dashes around the fur. Leaving the background plain, it emphasises the feeling of her striking beauty being the focus of her surroundings.
A grand painting made to capture the royal authority that a lion embodies. He stands upright, his head high up in the sky, gazing over his kingdom. We are drawn into his warm, orange eyes; there is something wise and secure about them. The loose brushstrokes around the main create the impression of a gentle wind. I am reminded of Mufasa in The Lion King on top of Pride Rock, saying to Simba, “Everything the light touches is our kingdom”.
For me, the lion in this painting represents a bright light, running towards us. His maine is like the sun and he looks directly at us. But it doesn’t feel intimidating, as you would expect to feel if being chased by a lion! Instead, he feels safe and good, as if he is coming to help us. Hence why I called this piece “Saviour”.
From the book Garden Song. Illustrating Psalm 104 - “There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number”. I have always found the sea mysterious. There is something very dangerous and exciting about it - vast expanses of blue, containing so much life, which in the most part we never get to see. I love going out fishing on holiday, gazing at the ocean and imagining what is down there. In this painting, I wanted to almost capture a shark from my imagination. I did this by using bright, saturated blues to make an almost magical atmosphere.
There is something magical about wolves. I have never seen one in the wild and have always wanted to. In this painting, I wanted to capture their fantastical quality through the bright blues and glowing whites, as well as the loose and playful brushstrokes of the fur.
In this painting, I wanted to capture the motion and beauty of a white horse running through a field. There is something angelic about white horses - their stunning white is a beam of light in their surroundings. The horse is bold and unapologetic in how it stands out. Something I think we can all be inspired by - we weren't made to fit in!
There is something very authoritative and secure about this tiger. Its posture is upright, and it holds a steady gaze. I painted it very loosely, and you can see many of the brushstrokes. I think this looseness captures a sense of atmosphere, and you can almost feel a gentle breeze flowing through the fur. I love the contrast of subtle beauty and the dangerous intensity of big cats.
Growing up around Oxfordshire, I often see deer on walks in the countryside. In this painting, I wanted to capture the exciting split-second connection we have with a deer when we see one, before it runs off.
This drawing is about connection and expressions of affection and love. The wolf on our right is almost leaning on the kiss of the other wolf, feeling supported and strengthened by it. The black and white creates the atmosphere of the forest at night, being lit by the moonlight. It feels cold and dark, which is contrasted by the warmth of their touch.
From the book Garden Song. Illustrating Psalm 50 - “For every wild animal of the forest is mine”. In this painting, I wanted to capture the magic and motion of a forest. The stag stands defiant and confident. He is still and steady as the energy of the woodland around him is a whirl of colour. His feet are firmly planted on the ground, unwilling to be swept up in the chaos.
The tiger locks eyes with us, walking through the Jungle. I used broad, loose and energetic brushstrokes for most of this painting to capture a sense of the abundant energy and life in a Jungle. The eyes, however, are sharp and detailed, drawing the viewer in. I find tigers are so beautiful and mysterious, and I wanted to capture that in this painting.
This was a commissioned painting from 2024. For me, elephants symbolise journeying, perseverance and endurance. I connect with this painting because it represents persevering in creativity, which is symbolised by the splashes of paint which the elephant walks through.
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A painting capturing the intensity and power of an eagle. Its wings are spread, huge and filling the canvas. The black wings aggressively contrast with the soft, gentle blues and whites of the background, capturing how the bird cuts through the sky with aggression, on a mission to hunt its prey, its sharp talons out. I find the raw power of nature amazing and have always been fascinated by birds of prey. When you gaze upon them, they have such overwhelming beauty and grace, but they also aren’t safe. I think there is something so exciting about that, unless you are a rabbit!!
From the book Unveiled and my illustration for Eve. In this painting, I wanted to capture the harmony between people and nature. The warm glow gives a sense of paradise and peace.
From the book Garden Song. Illustrating Psalm 139 - “If I rise on the wings of the dawn”. This is the verse that inspired me to make the book Garden Song. I remember reading it and feeling so inspired. There was something so compelling about the dawn having wings - for me, it gives such a rich sense of hope. Of a new day. This is what I wanted to capture in this painting.
The hot, saturated red of the bird contrasts starkly with the cool blues of the background. I love how bold and vibrant birds are. They are all so unique in their colours and feathers. Similar to flowers blooming in a field, I think birds are such a wonderful testament to the abundance and beauty of creation.
In this painting, I wanted to capture peace and tranquillity. You can almost hear the gentle ripples of the water as the swan glides through, and feel the warmth of the evening sun. It feels like paradise. Often in my work, I want to provide a space of escape and rest from the chaos of life. I like the idea that people can look at this painting to calm down, remembering the beauty of life and the hope that it can bring into our current situations.
The bright, glowing white between the swans symbolises love and connection. I painted this very loosely, and I think that looseness helps to capture a feeling. I love the colours of this painting - there is something so peaceful about the light blue.
From the book Garden Song. Illustrating Psalm 19 - “The heavens are telling the glory of God”. In this painting, I wanted to capture a magical scene that encapsulates the beauty and harmony interwoven within creation. The birds are swirling, creating a circular motion. It makes me think of the circle of life in The Lion King, a metaphor for how all of creation is intertwined and has its important and unique place in the world.
The cover of the book Garden Song. The reason the book is called Garden Song is that, to me, the garden is a great metaphor for the kingdom of heaven. Then Song is the expression of the garden. In this painting, the bird boldly lifts its head, singing up to the sky. One of my favourite artist quotes is by Monet when he says, “I would like to paint the way a bird sings”. There is something so beautiful and natural about our expressions of wonder and worship, being like a bird singing. Not forced, but an overflow of gratitude and joy.
Original Artwork
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