My earliest memories are of colouring pens, poster paints and reams of used computer paper my father brought home from work. I was kept busy for hours happily making things and experimenting with colours. This creative period continued throughout my schooling and later at Leeds University, where I studied textile design. A short career followed as a Yarn Designer before marriage and 3 children, so therefore painting went on the back burner for a couple of decades.

The children grew up, the house became quiet, and suddenly there was time to dust off the old paintbrushes and see what I could do with them. Coincidentally, I was given a set of soft pastels by a dear friend, I could not believe the amount of luscious pigment in a stick of chalk! This opened up a new medium to explore.

In my paintings, I have combined my love of colour and nature, focusing on light, shadows and their influence on chroma, form and texture. I primarily work from reference photos, sketching out the subject by hand or using line drawings. Next, I apply an under-painting of light and dark colours, providing a road map and value study for the next layers of pastel. Further layers of pastels and pastel pencils are added, building up depth and texture until the painting is finished."

If you would like any more information about my artwork, or are interested in commissioning a painting, please contact me directly by phone: 07725894720 or email: cussons539@btinternet.com to discuss the best composition and lighting for your portrait.