ABOUT

My journey as an artist started back in 2004. After spending several years in an office environment and often away from my young family, I realised that I wanted to change my life for the better. I left my office job and  embarked  on a career as an artist, starting with a degree in art and design. This degree was amazing, it allowed me to explore many different mediums, including glass, painting, photography, video, animation, art history....the list goes on. I discovered new passions and unlocked old ones such as photography. During this time I started to create sculptures; I was using cheap found objects and experimenting with space. As I invited others into the creative process, the sculptures began to take den-like forms, and my life as a den builder began!
 

I qualified with 1st class Hons and was determined to pursue a career in making dens and working in the arts. To broaden my experience of working with children and young people, I took a job in a secondary school in Leeds. This experience was invaluable, giving me a deeper insight into youth and education culture, and equipping me with the skills necessary to work freelance building dens in schools...a career I have loved for over a 15 years now!

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I have travelled all over the counrty delivering den building workshops in over 600 schools, community groups, galleries and festivals and it continues to be as popular as ever.

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A long side den building I have developed, managed and run art projects in a wide variety of settings and have built a positive reputation for delivering unique and engaging sessions.

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In 2019 I found out I had cancer which hit me like a ton of bricks. I was unable to work for over 6 months and this isolation played havoc with my menatl health. I got the all clear from cancer, but then came another obstacle, Covid, again this made it very difficult to work.

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At this point in my life I found myself struggling with life, I had little to do and lost my drive and passion for the arts, over the course of the next few years I turned to alcohol as away of trying to escape pain and life. I started to paint again and although I am proud of these paintings they tell a dark story of depression and someone feeling hopeless and lost. 

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In 2024 I closed myself off from the world, I was drinking heaverly from the moment I woke up. I was frightened and alone, a cycle I could not escape. I had given up, alcohol had taken me. In the darkest days, I could not understand how I was going to change and the thought of taking my own life became increasinly stronger.  

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In May 2025, I found strength for change and after referring myself, I was admitted to St Anne's detox and rehab centre. This was a live in, 3 month rehab program. It was a tough time, as the fog cleared and you could see the damage caused to yourself and to others. As hope started to be a thought, I started to find my passion and determination for life and my love of art. 

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After leaving St Anne's I wanted to use my experience to support others and was lucky enough to get a job as a drug and alcohol support worker. My experience of recovery from addiction coupled with my energy for the arts, is now my long term ambition. I am teaching art in a rehab centre one afternoon a week and I love it!! Using the arts as tool to relax, spark conversations and think about positive futures is very powerful in supporting people. 

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I am now also back den building, teaching art and busier than ever creating and developing project ideas. 

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Life can be tough in fact its tough every day, sobriety on its own is a full time job as the addiction never goes away. Over time it gets easier and working in the arts helps me in this process everyday.

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