Creative Workshops, Arts Residences, Live Illustration

The other side of me

I have spent over 30 years combining play, socially engaged creative arts practice, community research, advocacy and campaigning to support children, young people, families and individuals.

I am resolutely committed to working towards making impactful change that significantly enhances the health and well-being of the communities I work with.

Projects include a commission as Artist in Residence at Q&E Hospital, Gateshead, working with schools to create artworks for the new Children's Outpatients Department and "In Our Own Words", a year-long participatory research project in South Tyneside, documenting residents life experiences, resulting in a publication.

I am currently Artist in Residence for Young Carers Charity, commissioned to create artworks inspired by the stories of wonderful young people who attend their service.

I facilitate creative art workshops tailored to your needs and for people of all ages. This includes everything from community projects, schools, and healthcare settings, to private events.

I live in the North East and am happy to travel across the UK and internationally.

If you would like to book me to work with you, message me!

"My brother looks after me in the week when my mam is working. I have something called Autism and sometimes I struggle with loud noises. My brother hugs me to calm me down when I get upset."

Young Carers

"I love coming to your workshops, Pip. I am going to come back again."

Live Illustration

You may not yet have encountered Live Illustration before.

I draw in person, responding to stories in real time. To my knowledge, I'm currently the only live illustrator specialising in watercolour and ink!

There is something truly powerful about listening and scribing people's stories as they happen. Live illustration brings a unique, captivating energy to any event or community project, and I feel incredibly privileged to be part of that process - capturing personal narratives and turning them into visual illustrations.

Creative outcomes grow directly from the live experience. After illustrating at a recent conference, I was invited to create a series of postcards for participants, extending the event's life and transforming their stories into keepsakes.

If you’d like to discuss booking me for a community project or event, please get in touch via my contact page.