I grew up in a land-locked part of the UK, which meant family holidays were spent at the coast. The coastline was different from the tree fringed area I was used to. The craggy rocks lined open blue water which extended out to a distant horizon, mesmerising. As a young child I explored the beach and found new and exiting animals above and below the tide line. As I got older, I started to look up the marine life I found in various books, finding answers to the secrets of this new exciting world. When I was about 6 years old I donned my first snorkel and mask and everything changed... I discovered and entirely new world underneath the surface, and I was captivated. The normal loud noisy world above was muted and I saw different plants, colours and large or tiny animals, something new each time. My curiosity was captured, which later grew into scientific curiosity...
"I'm going to be a Marine Biologist"
I read a children's fictional book where the parent's career was described as a "Marine Biologist" and that was it. I could barely say the word but that was what I was going to be... I was excited that I could learn more about the underwater world as a career.
I continued to explore the sea, painting what I saw, my own type of scientific illustration which I then looked up. This soon fostered a love of science, leading me to university. After 4 years I was set free into the world with fresh enthusiasm and I had fulfilled my dream, I am now a "Marine Biologist"...
Now I use my passion for nature and wildlife to drive my career and my artwork.
