You’re originally from England, but you’ve established deep roots in Switzerland. When did you move to Switzerland?
Many, many years ago, or once upon a time if you prefer, I first came to Switzerland with a group of girls from my high school in England. It was a 10 day ski holiday in Champéry, at the end of which I did actually learn to ski!
Most importantly, I was absolutely bowled over by the mountains, the scenery, the whole atmosphere. I vowed to myself to come back one day. And I did a few years later, and have stayed ever since.
In what part of Switzerland do you live? What do you like about living in Lausanne?
I’ve settled in Lausanne. I love living here. I would say that everything here makes me happy. The 4 seasons are well defined. You have the lake, the vineyards, the incredible views over the mountains, the Jura, Evian across the lake, the surrounding countryside and picturesque towns and villages.
From Lausanne, you can go everywhere so easily, especially by train. Train journeys are really exciting. My 3 grown-up children and 6 grandchildren all live nearby.
Your grandfather and father were also artists. What lasting impacts did they make on your art practice?
My father said to always get your perspective right, and, if at first, you don’t succeed, try try try again.
When I work on a painting or an illustration, I feel my father’s presence. He was very patient and methodical, so this impacts my art. I feel I must also be methodical and work patiently to get the details right.
Personally, I wouldn’t throw paint onto the canvas and let it drip down, well not for the moment anyway. Who knows? One day I might, but with no guarantee that my technique would be anywhere near amazing!
When did you start your professional art practice?
My first exhibition took place in the village of Oulens-sous-Echallens in October 1997. It’s a charming old village in the Gros-de-Vaud, nestling in beautiful countryside at the foot of the Jura and I found it very inspiring. I produced over 60 paintings and found a spare building in the village where I held the exhibition.
It proved to be a big local event and a huge success. People came to buy the painting of their houses or farm, and farmers bought the painting of their cows in their fields! The final ones I did weren’t even dry, but they were sold and carried very carefully to their new homes!
I must say that I was pleased with every piece in that exhibition. I learned the hard lesson of parting with one’s own creations but realized with great pleasure that they would be loved in a new home.
You’ve devoted your art practice to showcasing Swiss life and landscape. What do you do to connect with the Swiss spirit?
My husband and I walk locally every day, but our favourite walks are in the mountains. We have also walked all around Lake Léman which we organised in 12 stages over 2 weeks. An unforgettable project which we did twice! And in the winter, we snowshoe in the mountains
What is your favourite subject matter to paint?
Anything that inspires me, and I see things figuratively and not in any way in the abstract.
My paintings are almost always about man-made structures, people, animals, or birds set in natural surroundings. Cities inspire me mostly if they’re historical. I was commissioned to paint the old town of Quimper in France, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
At the moment I’m working on the painting of yet another mountain. I see them as portraits, each one with its own expression and character.
Do you work from photos, your imagination, or do you do plein air painting?
I enjoy plein air sketching and painting in my studio. I take my own photos of a scene that has particularly inspired me, so I have the genuine feeling of my emotional response to it at that particular time, which gives energy to the brush strokes. I also have paintings that I had been working on when hearing that something dramatic had happened. It’s all in the brush strokes of the part I was doing at that time.
How long does it take to finish one of your paintings?
I have always kept a record of all my paintings. For each one, the date I started and finished, counting the hours it took me, and the daily comments on its progress. So depending on the size, a painting can take me between 1 and 130 hours, perhaps more if very complex. The hours add up when a subject is very detailed. I must add that I wish I could produce my paintings in an hour or two! But unfortunately for me, that’s impossible. I have my own disciplined rhythm and that’s that.
Do you have any exciting projects planned for the future?
A while ago, I was asked to illustrate a bilingual children’s story and design the whole book. This was a big project and I’m happy to say that it was finished. It has been published and is on sale in several shops, both in Switzerland and in England. I have other stories illustrated and waiting in the drawer. My future projects include finishing these, as well as carrying on with my paintings.
