Just before Christmas, I visited to my favourite place, The Victoria & Albert Museum in London. I love nothing more than aimlessly walking around the galleries to see what visual jewels draw me in. On this visit I found myself spending a lot of time in the British 19th Century rooms. I spent a lot of time gazing and taking in the furniture and decorative finishes. The rich colours and dark woods seemed to suit the December feel of London. There was one little cabinet for me t

A design I have used over many years is the butterfly theme. The butterfly has long been an iconic subject in painted design, from ancient symbolism to its prominence in modern art. The butterfly’s delicate wings and transformation through metamorphosis continue to inspire artists and designers across time, representing themes of beauty, renewal, and the transient nature of life. I particularly love the use of the butterfly motif in The Victorian 'Butterfly Craze Era'. This p

I have really started to paint again this year and I have allowed myself to paint for my pleasure, subjects that interest me. I have had a lovely few months and it has been quite interesting to see where it has taken me! With Tea & Roses I have always loved to investigate historic art influences and designs. One group I love and that was reintroduced to me by Annie Sloan is The Bloomsbury Group. I first came across the work of Duncan Grant at Lincoln Cathedral while studying

This year I have a wedding to celebrate on the farm! My eldest daughter is getting married, I am rather excited about it as you can imagine! To commemorate the occasion I have painted a set of three tables in Delft style. The tradition of incorporating weddings in painted designs has a long history, with the practice evolving over time. The custom of commemorating a wedding with a date inscribed on a ceramic object—whether it's a plate, vase, or plaque—has both symbolic and p