As a young child I used to pray every night. No-one taught me to pray, my parents did not attend any church or follow any spiritual path. I remember asking my mother to buy me a bible that I saw when shopping one day. I loved the illustrations and still have it. Animals, nature and our wonderful garden were my solace in those early years. I spent many hours trying to draw, especially horses. I kept a scrapbook of illustrations and was fascinated by alphabets and collected decorative letters and words from magazines.
During my early teens I suffered from severe anxiety and agoraphobia which continued through to my 30’s. I gradually learnt how to cope but it began in the 60’s and I experienced very little understanding or help other than prescribed medication with the disadvantages of side effects. Life was very challenging!
I was unhappy at school, and couldn’t wait to leave. I left at 16 and applied for two art colleges. In spite of the art teacher telling me “It is a waste of time you applying you will never get in!” I was accepted by both! My first choice was for fine art, unfortunately that college was out of my area for a grant. I settled for second best, a course in shop and store display. I learnt a wide range of practical skills, including all kinds of decorative lettering, taught by a Fellow of the Society of Scribes and Illuminators. Many years later I was also elected for Fellowship of this prestigious society.
On completing the course I managed to get work in a large department store, joining a small team of display artists. We made all the props for the windows. It was hard work at peak times but great fun. Eventually I left to work freelance.
In my early twenties I gave up all medication after my mother took me to a homeopath. I became increasingly interested in natural methods of healing, inspired by the homeopath and a biography of Dr Edward Bach who had turned to the healing properties of flowers. I joined a practical philosophy group and learnt to meditate. We studied the Bhagavad Gita, Sanskrit and the Upanishads. In my spare time I began to write out Shakespeare Sonnets and passages from the Gita in calligraphy.
At a weekend calligraphy course, I was recommended to visit Roehampton Institute of Higher Education where they held a diploma course in calligraphy and bookbinding. The evening before the arranged visit, I was casually asked to bring some of my work. When I arrived I was surprised to find it was a formal interview for a place! Six months later I received a letter of acceptance. The course was taught by some of the top artists and craftsmen in their field. It was a wonderful opportunity, no longer available. We studied all aspects of lettering and design, bookbinding, the use of vellum, quills, gilding and colour.
At the end of three intense years, I began teaching the craft and working freelance with a colleague. At first the work was repetitive, names on endless certificates, copying out grants of arms into the record books at the Royal College of Arms, addressing envelopes for grand parties. I gradually broadened and improved my drawing and painting my skills to include heraldic design, botanical painting and animal portraits. I completed commissions for BBCTV, The British Museum, Livery Companies, Clarence House, St Paul’s Cathedral, for publishers and private commissions, each with an interesting story to tell. Presentation addresses, Memorial and Benefactor’s books, decorative maps, family trees, wedding stationery, and greeting card designs are some examples.
Meditation has remained a daily practice since my early 20’s. In 1999 I was led to a Sufi teacher, Llewellyn Vaughan Lee; that path has been a very important way of life for me since.
Reflecting on my work, I felt the need for less precision. I decided to book a painting and walking holiday. I contacted an artist I found online who invited me to stay in her beautiful log cabin on the edge of Dartmoor and use her studio. She introduced me to a method of free watercolour painting and left me to experiment. It was exciting to return home with a collection of very satisfying paintings.
I was managing the anxiety well with the homeopathy, herbs and in 2003 I decided to do a training in homeopathy. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and thought I might take it up as my main profession. I went on to do courses in flower essences, shamanic work, Reiki and various methods of emotional healing. Still my main income was through my art. Homeopathy has suffered much opposition and constant attempts to discredit it which made it more difficult to set up a practice at that time.
One of my tutors on the homeopathic course noticed my paintings and asked if I could design a logo for her practice. We talked about her favourite colours, flower essences and what was important to her. Afterwards I asked inwardly to be able to make a painting that reflected her practice. She was thrilled with the result and I went on to design for other practitioners.
Through a friend I discovered a system of numerology called Soul Plan and had a reading with Blue Marsden who has provided new interpretations to modernise the current system which is based on ancient Hebrew Gematria. I found it a healing experience and went on to do several courses with Blue, inspired to help people see their challenges, talents, goals and life purpose. I have been fascinated with the accuracy of the system and find it a privilege to share it and moving to share the deep insights that it brings.
A long journey but the soul plan work alongside the paintings with the aim to capture the essence bring together perfectly my passion for healing and creativity and hopefully helping others to clarify meaning and purpose of their life.
