Im an Artist based in Ayr, Ayrshire but originally from a lovely little ex mining village in the beautiful Doon Valley called Dalmellington.
I had a happy childhood growing up in the safety of village life along with my parents William (Billy) and Janette & my brother Billy where I attended the local schools and made some lifelong friendS.
After leaving school, I got my HNC Art & Design at the now defunct Newton Annexe of Ayr College which allowed me to expand my portfolio and apply to Heriot Watt and Glasgow where I had offers to take up a place. for a BSc in Pattern Technology and BA in Art & Design.
I lived in Ayrshire until my late teens until I moved to The Borders to start a BSc in Pattern Technology at Heriot Watt University.
After a few years of study, I decided that it wasn't for me and I briefly moved to Edinburgh where I worked in various hotels and clubs and met some really fantastic people who I have remained friends with to this day.
From Edinburgh, I briefly moved back to Ayrshire before moving to the Isle of Man where I worked at the islands Airport and had the position of Duty Manager in the Restaurant and Shop.
My oldest Son Sam was born very prematurely there in 2000 at the Jane Crookall Hospital in Douglas. He received excellent care there and is now a strapping lad today working two jobs.
I decided to move back to the Mainland with my baby son in 2001 where I took up a HND in Business Administration at Ayr College.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and met two of my closest friends.
It was however a struggle and I couldn't understand why because I knew that I wasn't stupid.
I had always struggled with reading and writing and was deeply ashamed and embarrassed which affected my choice of employment and held me back from achieving the qualifications I strived for.
I was diagnosed as Dyslexic in my 30's and in my 40's with Irlens Syndrome which was enormous relief to actually know there was a reason for my struggles.
I took up a few jobs to support myself and Sam and in 2011 my younger son Fynn, (who is also Dyslexic) and my family was complete..
We moved back to Ayr as a wee family in 2014 to be closer to my parents due to my Dad's declining health.
Sadly my Dad died in 2015 after a fall and my Mum was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on the Christmas Eve of that same year,
I was beside myself with grief and it is a year I'm never going to forget.
Fortunately my Mum has been in remission since. ❤️
In 2016 I met Neil and we recently got married and that has now completed my heart.
What's all that got to do with my Art?............
Well, all these experiences have influenced me to become person the person I am today.
As the title suggests, my Art is about things I love & what brings me Joy.
I choose bright happy colour/s, beautiful textiles and patterns in all my products and my aim is to spread that Joy in everything I design and make for you.
Art with Heart. 💜 x
