My career as a painter and later as a teacher began in 1976.  In those days I was into watercolours and couldn't get the brush to go fast enough.  I used to travel with my husband all over the world and always packed paints and brushes in the bottom of my case.  Painting ran in the family, my two brothers are also artists, one living here in England and the older brother living in Seattle USA.  Both enjoyed different mediums but I enjoyed in those days both watercolours and oils.

When we lived in Herefordshire, a dear friends' husband died after a long illness.  Nora owned a china shop and one of the old Royal Worcester Porcelain China Painters, Gerald Delaney was giving a talk on china painting to support a charity evening.  Nora asked if I would go.  At the end of an interesting evening she asked Gerald Delaney if he ever took on students and he said he did occasionally.  Nora left her address thinking she would never hear again.  Alas two months later Gerald telephoned Nora and said he would teach her china painting.  As you can imagine Nora panicked as she had never held a brush in her hand before but not to lose face said 'yes'.  I agreed to go with her and said if she couldn't understand everything I would explain afterwards when we got home.  That was the beginning for me too.  I simply got hooked!

It was an interesting invitation to a new medium which I have thoroughly enjoyed.  I still cover all mediums but the china painting has been the greatest challenge because the subjects are endless.  I began as a landscape painter but now tackle everything!

You know people come and go in life, but china painters are interesting special people and I am thankful for all the friends I have met over the years -  and look forward to meeting new friends in the future.