I was born in Kabul, Afghanistan to a British, diplomatic family and grew up in numerous cities around the world. I have always loved drawing and painting and after graduating from Chelsea School of Art settled in London. I became Art Editor at Harpers & Queen magazine and also became their ‘in house’ illustrator during it's heyday in the 80's, I did the drawings for "The Sloane Ranger Handbook’ by Ann Barr and Peter York while I was there.
Illustration: As a freelance illustrator I drew for Harpers as well as many other magazines including: Vogue, Good Housekeeping, House & Garden, The Spectator and The Royal Society of Literature magazine. I was commissioned to draw the cover of the '11th European Illustration Annual”. My range of clients has included: Marks & Spencer, Greenpeace, The Royal society of Literature, Sotheby’s, American Express, Oil of Ulay, The Chelsea Arts Club, British Gas, Sainsburys, Penguin books, The Telegraph and The Times.
Books: The Folio Society has commissioned me to illustrate many books including 2 boxed sets of Dorothy Sayers Novels and The Alice B. Toklas Cookbook. Other illustrated books include ‘The Great Big Book of Glorious Girls’ published by Penguin, 'Coco Chanel, her life and loves' published by Heinemann and 'A Graphic Guide to Women Artists' published by Camden Press. I illustrate books for both adults and children, most recently I illustrated The Emily Windsnap mermaid books by Liz Kessler.
Paintings: In my paintings I explore another aspect of myself. The paintings are mainly abstract and convey an extraordinary intensity and a radiance of colour, since 2011 texture has figured more and some paintings are becoming almost sculptural. The elemental, mysterious worlds and landscapes that are pictured reflect my own inner world, my inner and outer nature. Both the paintings and illustrations speak of my curiosity about and my love for life. I am fascinated by the rhythm, pattern and language of nature. For me painting is a spiritual practice, a regular practice that allows me to sink deep down into the core of my being, dip into the Creative Well and drink from the refreshing, nourishing and healing waters there.
Painting Groups: In January 2009 I started to run Painting Groups from my studio in Bayswater W2 - ‘Visual Medicine’ is a painting process based on a spiritual practice originated by the artist and author Suzette Clough with whom I have worked for many years. Please see ‘Painting Groups’ above in the menu or www.visualmedicine.me
Counselling: I have a certificate in transpersonal counselling and psychotherapy from CCPE. (Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education)
Acknowledgements:
-“I have to credit Julia Cameron's wonderful and deeply spiritual book 'The Artist’s Way' in helping me with my painting practice, also Caroline Myss’ book ‘Sacred Contracts’.
-I wish to acknowledge and thank my brilliant teacher and friend Suzette Clough, her Visual Medicine painting process has been inspirational and transformative for me.
-I also want to thank my Tai Chi teacher Tim Spratt. The past 17 years of practicing Tai Chi and other internal Martial Arts along with teaching my own students has helped inform my creative work and whole life a great deal”.
