In February I along with other creatives was given the opportunity from Somewhereto_ to access a space I have been passionate about for several months. 
I spotted the old Rachel Hammond Salon in the Highcross last year it was vacant and I thought it would lend itself so perfectly to an art exhibition. It's blank walls, enormous windows and alcoves were perfect for it, finally in February I got the chance to exhibit. 

'Striped Vogue Collection' painting sold while being exhibited in the Twickenham branch of Harris & Hoole,
 so pleased!

Over Half Term in Leicester I was given the opportunity from SomewhereTo_ to exhibit my work in the city shopping centre the Highcross. They have a campaign called the 'Highstreet Heist' for this Re:Store we used an empty space that has been vacant for quite a while. Along with other creatives we took over on old Virgin store I was given space to display my paintings and stitchwork. 
During this time I was also painting some new pieces within the space which allowed passers by to see me at work and a little of the behind the scenes of my working process. 
On the last day a make up artist Kelly Odell painted me in the style of one of my paintings. It was a really cool experience to see how someone else would interpret my painting style. 

I have just sent these pieces down to London, I've been lucky to have them shown at the BOXPARK in Shoreditch. 
BOXPARK is the world's first Pop Up shopping mall located in the heart of East London - Shoreditch. My work will be shown from the 29th September - 3rd of October, so if you're going to around London please stop by and have a look. 

With the help of somewhereto_ I had a stall at this years 'Our Leicester's Day' on the 25th August within the Leicester Market. I was able to showcase some of my paintings and my stitchwork. 
There was also the Leicester SkyRide going straight past the Market and lots of other events going on throughout the city. So there was lots of excitement and buzz going on around the center. 
I had a really lovely day and had some great comments from people looking at my work, I am looking to do a lot more events like this so check my events page to see what I have coming up. Thank you to everyone who popped by to see me you support is so appreciated! 

I was lucky enough to be one of the winners in the competition with Somewhereto_ John Lewis Oxford Street. My painting 'My Week with Marilyn' which is Acrylic on Canvas was shown in the Brasserie of John Lewis for 10 days between the 22nd - 31st of July. 

I'm so pleased to say that someone contacted me through my website who wanted to buy the painting. 

So here is 'Marilyn' all wrapped up and ready to go! It's always so strange when I sell a painting and knowing that this is probably the last time I ever see it in person (photos never properly do the paintings justice), but hoping that she enjoys her new home!

My final major project on the run up to my Degree Show was based around the idea 'if walls could talk' I was inspired by the idea that as people we imprint an identity of ourselves on our home. 
For example if you move into an old home you can sometimes find layers of old wallpaper underneath the walls revealing an imprint of previous owners. 
I painted and hand carved wallpaper designs into 5 large plasterboards, I then pasted layers of wallpaper on top. 
I peeled off some of the paper and cut through some of the individual pattern revealing a little of what was underneath, a glimpse of the past.

After the completing my final year show in 2010 I was lucky enough to be selected to go to New Designers show in Islington, London representing my University. My pieces that were chosen for the were the more aesthetic samples for the development of my final year project 'If walls could talk'.
They are plasterboard pieces with hand carved wall paper patterns. I found the show a really useful experiences and it was my first chance to talk to professionals that were interested in my work.  

In the summer 2012 I took part of the Hampshire Open Studios with the help of my parents who helped convert their garage into a studio for me. The Open Studios includes artists from all over the Hampshire area and it was a great experience to get a face to face reaction that people have to my work. 

It was the first chance that I have had to display my whole portfolio in one place. You could see a progression of skill as my style has changed and adapted into what it is today! I had some lovely people visit and some touching notes left for me!

I recently have been working with a charity somewhereto_ who have been helping me find spaces to exhibit and events that I can participate with. In June they held a competition in which 10 winners would have their work shown in the John Lewis on Oxford Street throughout July. I was fortunate enough to be one of these winners, so on the 27th of July I was able to go down and see my piece. 

It started with an early to London and after a wrong turn on Oxford Street, I eventually found John Lewis and my piece. 

I was pleased with how much my painting stood out from the wall and it was easily noticeable from the escalator. The piece in this exhibition is titled ‘My Week with Marilyn’ it is inspired by the film of the same name, I found the film so beautiful and amazing how Michelle Williams was able to completely inhabit the time and space of Marilyn Monroe while she was filming ‘The Prince and the Showgirl’ in England. The painting captures a timeless moment of Marilyn/Michelle.
I am hoping that this will be my first of many shows in London and I am looking forward to the new opportunites that are coming my way.