What inspires me…
From rolling hills and meadowland to dramatic oceans and shifting skies, nature has always been my happy place and a constant source of fascination and comfort throughout my life.
In 2014 sudden ill health changed my life, and art entered it almost by accident. What began as a meditative way to manage pain soon became a vital creative outlet for me and JM Flora & Fauna Art was born when my “dobs & dabs” became semi abstract landscapes. A few months later I picked up a pencil and discovered I could draw – a complete revelation as I hadn’t drawn since my schooldays.
My practice moves between expressive, painterly landscapes and highly controlled animal portraits. Using water-based mediums, I create atmospheric landscapes that embrace fluidity, chance and emotional response to place. In contrast, graphite and coloured pencil allow for precision and careful observation, enabling me to capture fine detail and the unique character of animals in portraiture, which became the mainstay of my art until recently when I began to develop my landscapes, treescapes & florals.
This contrast reflects two ways of engaging with nature: the freedom and movement of the wider environment, and the intimate, focused connection with an individual subject.
A little about me…
I live in Penistone, South Yorkshire, betwixt the Pennines and the Peak District, with my husband and our rescued Boxer, Ruzgar. The ever-changing skies, rolling hills and quiet strength of the surrounding landscape shape my work daily — grounding me, inspiring me and constantly reminding me why I create.
Animals have always held a special place in my heart. Over the years, my art has helped raise thousands of pounds for charities close to me. I regularly donate pet portrait commissions to rescue organisations for raffles, and 10% of every pet portrait I create goes to Animal Friends of Turkey (AFOT) — the charity who brought Ruzgar into our lives. Supporting rescue work isn’t just something I do; it’s deeply personal.
Community is equally important to me. I work closely with the team behind Penistone Arts Week (PAW), helping bring our town’s creativity to life each March. Joining this group of talented creatives inspired me to begin painting my landscapes, treescapes & florals, and in return I design the programme artwork, leaflets, posters and banners, build and manage the website, and run social media – all on a voluntary basis – because I believe the arts should be accessible, visible and celebrated at the heart of our vibrant & wonderful community.
Rooted in community…
I feel incredibly fortunate to have my work displayed in a number of local shops and cafés here in Penistone. There’s something very special about seeing my art woven into the everyday life of the town that inspires it.
In particular, I am proud to be resident artist at Generations Cafe Bar, where my work is on display year-round. The pieces evolve as I do — changing with the seasons, the light, and whatever sparks my imagination at the time. It feels like an ongoing conversation between the landscape, my studio, and the community that gathers there.
So often, people encounter my work there for the first time, and many go on to request commissions of their own. That connection — when someone feels moved enough to invite my art into their own home — is something I never take for granted.
JM FLORA & FAUNA ART 