I was brought up in Neath. When I was 20, I decided to go back to college where I was offered the opportunity to study A-level Art alongside a great teacher called Mr. Wagstaff. He encouraged me to understand more about art and to improve and learn new skills. After I finished my A-levels, I went to Bath Art College where I graduated with a BA (Hons) in fine art in 1990.

After graduating I explored the industrial area of south Wales by creating new work, and after five years I started exhibiting at the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Over the next two decades I exhibited nationally and internationally, and in 2012 I had exhibits in seven different capital cities including London, Paris, Bologna and Milan. One of those galleries, the John Martin Gallery in London, continues to represent me today. My artwork has been used by the Manic Street Preachers for their album Know Your Enemy. I’ve also worked with Welsh film director Marc Evans on Dal yma nawr, a Welsh language film with various contributors.

Since 2016 I have been working with Welsh designer Jayne Pierson for London Fashion Week, covering seven collections. These garments have been worn by musicians such as Alicia Keys on The Voice America and The Voice UK, by contestants on the X Factor, and by other celebrities and in magazines. We have worked with British bands such as All Saints on music sleeves and videos.

I also have various publications and do television work, as well as teach on the Foundation course in Swansea and the Conde Naste Fashion College in London. I have received grants from the Arts Council of Wales to travel and set up creative awards. My latest project was with a school in Swansea where we worked with artists of other mediums to produce a film with the secondary pupils and staff. I’ve entered that film into the Wales International Film Festival. I also have a studio in Port Talbot. 

Two things that have inspired me are the British sculptor Henry Moore and the cinema. Henry Moore was an artist who made these great large sculptures that were mostly exhibited outdoors. What intrigued me the most, apart from their size, was that he took the human form and recreated it into a simpler structure that was elegant and exciting and modern.

I want things to look good. I don't care about representation and symbolism in works of art because to me what you see is what you get. I think this is more honest.

Of course, there are several artists I came across while at college, such as Picasso, Warhol and Hirst, who also inspired me.

My attitude to my art has changed over the years but has yet remained the same. New materials and increased confidence allow you to think and do things differently but the general message I have running through the work is 'ART'. Art is made of rules; with time you learn those rules, then you break them. Art has a special value in our society, and it is up to the artist how to use it. It is constantly evolving, and this is what makes it so interesting.

I have been working with Welsh designer Jayne Pierson on clothing for London Fashion Week. Painting the clothes was fun to do and after the first collections I learned a lot about fashion and how to draw it; I came to consider that as I went along. The objects I created in the studio were kinetic sculptures walking on a catwalk, surrounded by flashing lights and music.

Music is very important as I play it in the studio for enjoyment but it also provides ideas and inspires me. If you read the words, they would remind you of songs. Literature in my work is very important to me. I started using words while in college and this has stuck with me ever since. It's possible to use the smallest words to create the greatest work.

I'm mainly a painter but anything I can stick to a board is fine with me. I now use textile, polystyrene, metal, stencil work, photographic screen prints, glass, and various other things I find, all in the same piece of work, and then paint over them. So, I mix it all up! You need to remember that you own the painting, rather than the painting owning you.

During lockdown I concentrated on experimenting with cyanotype, a photographic process that uses sunlight. It’s a fantastic process where its colours are blue and white and simple to do. I would encourage everyone to discover more about that.