I was born and brought up in Limekilns (Fife, Scotland). As far back as I can remember I have always drawn or created something. As a young teenager, while studying at Dunfermline Queen Anne then Dunfermline High School it was always clear to me that my priority was to enter the world renown Edinburgh College of Art (“ECA”).
I spent four years at ECA. The last two years I specialised and graduated in designing and making stained-glass windows as well as jewellery, always drawing and painting at the same time. We were privileged to be taught the art of Stained-Glass by Sax SHAW, Head of Department: a wonderful teacher and a hugely multi-talented artist and designer. Contemporary students and great friends included Liefur BREIDFJORD www.breidfjord.com and Douglas HOGG DA (Edin), FMGP, FSA Scot, FRSA, www.douglashogg.com
That is also when I met Jean, a Frenchman from Bergerac (Dordogne), on the Terraces of Murrayfield. He had come to watch Scotland v. France and I, for the first time in my life, had gone to see a rugby game with college friends! We married the following year. Subsequently we had two lovely sons: Pierre and Jean-Luc
As for many wives/mothers in similar circumstances my career per se changed direction: I had to say “goodbye” to designing and making stained-glass.
Later Jean became an expat for French National Railways (SNCF) so I followed him: Bordeaux, London, Stockholm, London, Scotland… and finally Bergerac!
But I never stopped drawing, painting, creating things, to the point that one day my husband said to a London physician “Inside her veins you would probably find 50% blood and 50% paint.” We just accumulated pastels, oil paintings, watercolours, and other works!
Gradually, as our children grew older, my husband granted me a little more of his busy time and helped with exhibitions and career.
While we lived in London I exhibited in various places: Chelsea, Ealing, Hammersmith, Hampstead, The Mall Gallery (The Mall, opposite Buckingham Palace; in 2002 the exhibition, curated by my husband, included no less than eight Royal Academicians, notably Anthony GREEN RA, Professor David MACH RA, Professor Ken HOWARD OBE RA).
At the end of my studies I misplaced this stained-glass. I hope someone found it and saved it. Naturally I do not want it back. I would simply like to know if someone saw it and where. Many thanks
While living in Ealing (London, England) I also discovered the excitement of creating 3D paintings”: free hand-embroidery on hand-painted material combined with various appliqué techniques, collage and beads. I joined the Embroiderers Guild of Great-Britain with whom I exhibited regularly, as well as with the UK National Needlwork Archives.
After we moved to Scotland exhibitions followed at regular intervals: Edinburgh, Dunfermline, Glentrothes, Lochgelly Centre, Haddington, Glasgow, Perth,... I also had a permanent exhibition at the prestigious Balbernie House Hotel (Fife).
Indeed, for many years I have always had at least one piece of work in an exhibition somewhere, with many scattered around the world in private collections: from USA to India, from Europe to Australia, from Africa to New Zealand.
A few years ago a local Charity in Limekilns asked me to feature the village’s vintage points in drawings. These were to illustrate a recipe book. Subsequently they were reproduced in cards, mugs and coasters. Hundreds have been sold and sent across the world!
In 2007 I was invited to exhibit at India’s Nehru Centre in London together with international ceramist Manju SINHA. This Scottish-Indian occasion marked the 60th Anniversary of India's Independence. Guest of Honour was Brigadier Alastair BRUCE of CRIONAICH OBE KStJ VR ADC DL, a descendent of King Robert The Bruce and of two Viceroys of India.
Following the success of that event a second exhibition took place in June 2018. Chief Guests were India’s High Commissioner and his wife. Brigadier Alastair BRUCE of CRIONAICH kindly agreed to be our Guest of Honour once more. Other special guest: the French Deputy Head of Mission, representing Monsieur Jean-Pierre JOUYET the French Ambassador.
In the meantime my husband decided he could no longer bear the Scottish weather and we should move to Bergerac in Dordogne, where he came from. There I would have my own studio and a showroom : La Gallery Bergerac.
Although living in Dordogne since 2010 and taking part in various local exhibitions, in particular for charities like the national Telethon for rare diseases, I have carried on exhibiting in UK; in particular “at home” in Scotland. Latest to date: a solo exhibition from 26th October 2019 to 03rd February 2020 at the spectacular Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries.
Two more exhibitions (in Edinburgh and in England) were cancelled due to COVID-19.
That did not stop me in 2020 to exhibit with the Société des Beaux-Arts du Périgord (Fine Art Society of Dordogne-Périgord) to which I belong... and to win First Prize of the 22nd Jean Callerot Competition. This prize is all the more valuable to me that it was the artists who are members of the Société des Beaux-Arts who voted.
