I believe the essential aspect of Creative Practice is seeking out something that captivates you, making the learning process more enjoyable. Absorbing what you learn becomes easier to remember and apply in future projects, particularly if you dedicate time to practicing what you've studied.

I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to teach creativity through making art, and it is something I love to do. The balance of studio work and teaching workshops means I keep active, get time out of the studio, and have the pleasure of encouraging others to get creative and have time out from their hectic lives too.

I am a strong believer in there being a time and place for everything. I wasn't ready to tackle this difficult subject until I had done the 30-day challenge. But there is more to it. I have featured nests in previous works like a tiny nest in a tree or a textured nest in a bird painting. But solo nests have to have impact to be successful as a piece of work.

The way the colours were used was just magical to me. I didn't know all of the arty terms at the time, but what I did know is that I just could imagine myself standing there in the scene, feel the warmth on my face and hear the rustling of the trees in a gentle breeze. I was obsessed with how a painting could do this!

New paintings launched in shop today.