Pet Portrait Artist went to Loughborough College of Art and Design

When A’levels were completed, I successfully applied and went to The Loughborough College of Art and Design. I studied life drawing, sculpture in clay, photography, plus 3d work that helped to direct me onto the path I am still on today.
My career as a Pet Portrait Artist started, painting Pet Portraits on my father’s Farm, at Cold Overton near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, after leaving Loughborough Art College in 1984.
Having a long history of artists in my family line, my mother’s parents painted in oils. Grandpa was an an accomplished architect, he also painted landscapes. My grandmother painted beautiful fruits and flowers, she was an accomplished seamstress too.. 
My mother, who died when I was 12 years old from multiple sclerosis, studied at the Harrogate School of Art during the 1940’s. In the second World War she became a red cross nurse. She recorded some fascinating  scenes from that era and time. Using pencil, pen and ink and also watercolour, she depicted the life and activities of ordinary people at their workplace i.e. nursing, fire service, hair dressers, trams and dockyard scenes etc. 
Many fond memories I have of her teaching me, as a child of between five and eight years old. Her pencil sketching and watercolour techniques were amazing, even though her lessoning ability to have a steady hand was, to me, evident.