The Wandering Wildling
Where creativity roams free.
From the African tropical forests to the Highlands of Scotland.
Raised amidst the lush tropical jungles of Zambia, my childhood was a wild symphony of tree-climbing escapades, mud-covered adventures, and an untamed spirit. Those formative years, with their vibrant sounds, intoxicating smells, and kaleidoscope of colours, now serve as the bedrock of my artistic expression and storytelling.
Within the first five minutes of our encounter, it becomes apparent how deeply Africa has shaped my identity; I can't help but share the profound impact it has had on my life and creativity.
Blessed with parents who nurtured a spirit of adventure, I was encouraged to push boundaries while always prioritising safety. This ethos propelled me across the globe, allowing me to experience life on five continents before finding my cherished home amid the enchanting highlands of Scotland.
Generations Unveiled: A Homage in Art and Stories
Storytelling, an enduring companion woven into the fabric of my life, echoes in the corridors of my earliest memories. Capturing the narratives of individuals, I find profound joy immersing myself in the art of storytelling, where tales unfold not just through the written word but also in the nuanced interpretations of photographs and pieces of art.
The walls of my home are adorned with artwork, each piece carrying a familial resonance. Paintings from my grandmother, mother, and great aunts, bestowed by family friends and even strangers. Among them, portraits of my great grandfather stand tall, silent guardians of the ancestral tales from which I draw my roots. Photographs serve as silent echoes of my namesake, revealing adventures kept secret from the world.
In my artwork and photography, there is a profound purpose—to make my family proud. It is a deliberate effort to contribute to the rich tapestry they've woven around the world. This creative journey is my homage to the generations preceding me, an acknowledgment of the cultural and familial heritage that courses through my veins. More than personal expression, it is a silent conversation across time, an offering to influence and inspire the next generations of our kin.
In this visual and literary endeavour, I aim not just to add strokes to the canvas but to become a vibrant thread in the tapestry of our shared history. This is more than art; it is a testament to the stories that bind us, a legacy that extends beyond my own narrative—an invitation for the next generations to pick up the brush, capture moments, and continue weaving the vibrant narrative of our family.
The lifecycle of art
I believe that all art has at least two lives. The first is when the creator dreams it into being. Pouring a part of themselves into the creation; giving it life, meaning and emotion. The artist leaves a part of themselves in every creation and has the creation live within them forever.
The second, and all subsequent lives thereafter, is when you see that creation and it causes you to pause and reflect. A stopping of time where the art speaks to you. You don’t have to purchase the art for it to be a part of you, and for you to have given it life. But this is the urge I feel comes when you can’t stop thinking of the artwork and you just have to have it in your life.
You have given art multiple lives.
Through the lens
My faithful camera has been my companion for decades, evolving from capturing moments around the house to documenting the beauty discovered on leisurely walks and, eventually, throughout my global travels. With every click, I pay homage to my great aunt, the spirited adventurer, whose love for National Geographic and passion for framing the world through her lens ignited my own photographic journey.
In her spirit, I've traversed the vast landscapes of Australia and New Zealand, embarked on thrilling safaris in Africa, and wandered through the enchanting, winding streets of Edinburgh. What began as a visual diary transformed into something more profound than mere image capture—it evolved into the art of encapsulating memories. Each photograph, a timeless snapshot, not just of a scene but of the emotions and experiences etched into the tapestry of my life's adventures.
