Annie started painting in 1989. Largely self-taught, she began by attending tutored workshops and then progressed by experimental work in her home studio to develop an expertise and style of her own.Although her introduction to painting was in the use of watercolours, soft pastels soon became Annie's preferred medium. The strong pigments and immediacy of pastels appealed to her love of bold colour and spontaneous method of working. She then began using acrylics, finding that their unique versatile properties were ideal for experimentation and a range of different techniques; she now works exclusively with acrylics and mixed media, painting quickly and instinctively and allowing her pictures to evolve. Always motivated by strong colour, Annie believes the subject matter is secondary to colour, texture and design.