Liz and Kate have created art together since leaving Stafforshire University in 2001. They both gained a first class degree in Surface Pattern Design, a very broad course, which allows each student to find their own strengths.
During this time Kate became passionate about colour, often experimenting with bold shapes, combining pattern, collage and mixed media. Liz edged more towards illustration, she focused more on finer detail and line, soon finding a real style of her own.
They both still very much work with the same set of skills, mostly working together on commercial briefs, Liz sketching and then passing along to Kate to colour up. However when it comes to a one off fine artwork, they go their separate ways a little and let their individuality show through!
Liz will stop in her tracks and stare at a bunch of street signs, a twisted telephone wire, a spar shop or a road marking, imagining them in her paintings, she sees the smaller less obvious details.
Kate would rummage charity shops for old fabrics, books, anything she can layer paint onto and collage into her work. She often sees a landscape as if it where a large patchwork, in fact Liz describes Kate‘s paintings as patchworks of colour! They have a large collection of paintings and prints with the Whistlefish Galleries based in and around Cornwall. A perfect excuse to holiday down there, grabbing lots of photos for inspiration, especially Liz in her old VW Camper!
Many of their paintings are based on Cornish Seaside towns. They try to capture the quirkiness of the buildings, and the hustle and bustle of street life. More recently they've been enjoying painting London hotspots. Liz lets loose with details of London buses and taxis while Kate creates colourful skylines with interesting blocks of colour.
Their adventure as artists began back at Mum and Dads in the bedroom they grew up in! Turning their beds into desks! They now work at Liz's house in a small studio, that's full to the brim with paints, collage papers, children's books, sketch books, it's certainly the messiest room in the house!
