As the second anniversary of my role as Gallery Manager at Emerald Frames & Gallery approaches, I'm sharing a collection of favourite exhibition photos from 2023. During the past two years, I've curated 22 exhibitions; an immense achievement. Join me on a visual journey through captivating displays and discover the artistry that has filled our gallery walls with beauty and inspiration.

A mother and daughter's shared love of art comes to fruition in a joint exhibition. The two fine artists, who practice mixed media art making with a penchant for plants, have unique painting styles, however their work is united by a touch of the familiar. The October exhibition, at Emerald Gallery, explores the power of family ties and the creative bond between mothers and daughters.

Bubblegum pink, lichen, racing green and a touch of azure blue is the delicious colour recipe for a collection of show-stopping florals. They are a series of contemporary fine art paintings inspired by my own rose garden. The story of how they came to be is full of personal connection and the journey one painting took, to find its home in a new kitchen extension, is one of inspiration and commitment.

At the end of the Metropolitan Line, tucked within Amersham’s leafy neighbourhoods, I create BRIGHT contemporary fine artist from my garage studio. Surrounded by the abundant beauty of the Chilterns, I can often be found, sketchbook in hand, roaming the fields and Memorial Gardens of the Old Town. However my journey to full-time artist has taken a few creative loops and turns.

The Homespun Girls are a collection of paper collage portraits constructed from recycled paintings, remnants of clothes patterns and collected colourful envelopes. Each girl has a name inspired by female American names of the 1930’s - 60’s. They are names that remind me of my fleeting yet impactful time living in the American Midwest in the early 80s.

Fine artists learn best through play and being free to experiment and explore is how to move forward. It’s in the unguarded moments of working with a new material and making random marks that discoveries are made. There’s a good reason artists refer to their work as a practice, because that’s exactly what they’re doing.

A small tin flower pot, stuffed with hyacinth bulbs, sparked a new botanical fine art collection complete with bold shapes, luscious fronds, fancy china plates and dainty gold details. The finished work represents a desire to explore strong tonal contrasts and richly textured surfaces. It’s also a collection of mixed media paintings that helped me climb out of the depths of isolation.

Do your paintings tell you stories as you walk past them on the wall?  I’m convinced mine do, I make a point of looking at them to make sure I fully understand their narrative.  Call me crazy, however if you love contemporary fine art, Mid-century modern, Scandinavian style and small moments of calm as much as I do read on.  These are my ingredients for homemaking and art is at the heart.