My inspiration has always been animals. I adore painting pets, their expressions, their quirks, and especially their eyes, which bring me such joy to capture. There is always a moment as I paint when the personality seems to appear on the page, and I often find myself quietly saying, “oh, hello!” and smiling. I’m a self-taught artist, guided by years of careful observation and a love of miniature work. Working in 10 x 10cm means every detail matters, and for the time I am painting, I feel a genuine warmth towards each little face. I always fall in love with them just a bit. It’s a true joy to create portraits that make people smile, and a real honour when I paint memorial pieces, preserving the memory of a much-loved companion with care and respect.