Vanessa is Hampshire born, raised and based, and has been painting since her early ‘teens. She studied at Portsmouth University, first exhibited her work in 1987, and has built a reputation as a bold, imaginative artist with a deep love of colour. She works principally in oils, and also creates in a variety of other mediums, including gouache and sculpture. She takes her models from nature and from family life – from forests, gardens, pets, and children. There are deep veins of both sensuality and humour in her work, which enhance their vitality. She also teaches at the Art House Meath, a Centre of Artistic Excellence.