Growing up in a mill town on the edge of the Pennines, with a mother who had been a winder in a mill and a father who had been a farmer, Anne’s relationship with the land is deeply rooted in her family’s heritage.

Her work reflects this, observing the way generations come and go, yet the land remains largely unchanged.

Anne shared a quote by artist Michael Morgan.

Anne’s stories flow through her work, the eye travelling around the world she has created, up and down the rolling hills, the dry stone walls and around the bending lanes.

Continuing her interest in the past and how the landscape has evolved over time, Anne’s work makes references to the rocks and stones that make up the landscape. Whether it's the soft chalk of the South or the limestone of the Yorkshire Dales, Anne aims to capture the essence of these geological features in her work.

Anne recalled how the expansive landscape of the Yorkshire Dales shaped her perspective as a child: “I love that big landscape. You could see everything, right up to the Three Peaks.” However, since moving to the Surrey Hills, she’s found it difficult to access similar wide-open views. “Here, with all the trees and hedgerows, you don’t get that same sense of space unless you’re at a higher vantage point,” she said. In recent years, Anne has spent time in the South Downs, a more expansive landscape—not too far away—offering the wide views she craves.

What I personally enjoy in Anne’s work is the feeling of musicality inherent in each piece. When she spoke about her other creative pursuits and her career, it became clear how these qualities in her art are linked to her deep passion for music and dance.

As a child, Anne loved dance, music, and art, but each discipline existed in its own “box.” She chose to study fine art at university, and after her degree, she pursued a career as a primary school teacher and further study in Creative Arts MEd, “It gave me the chance to combine everything I loved,” she said. Anne continued teaching for several years until she and her husband travelled abroad and later had children. Upon returning to the UK, she found her way into teaching music at an international school, where the approach was holistic and encouraged the integration of multiple disciplines.

Anne’s creative process seems to be deeply influenced by her background in music, particularly her understanding of layering and composition. She likens the act of building up her paintings to composing a piece of music.

Anne’s approach has evolved over time. “When I started, it was all about brushwork,” she recalled. “Now, I use all sorts of mark making tools including bubble wrap, packaging materials, anything which enables me to create expressive abstract effects”. Anne also incorporates mixed media and collaged pieces such as gelli printed papers which she creates herself. “It’s all part of the fun.”

“I might scratch through areas to reveal something lovely underneath, or add new visual effects to create a feeling of progression,” she said. This organic approach allows Anne’s work to evolve naturally, with each layer providing a new possibility. It’s not just about what’s on the surface, but how the colours, marks and materials build on each other to create a dynamic and playful composition. “The layers allow me to experiment,” Anne said. “Sometimes, the mark-making or the collage will completely change how the painting feels.”

Anne’s work is an ongoing exploration of memory, identity, and landscape. By weaving together history, geology, and music, she creates paintings that capture the spirit of the land, inviting the viewer into a world where the past and present coexist.

Anne is based in Surrey and often exhibits as part of Surrey Artists Open Studios. Follow her online at…