I have always had a passion for Art and following my A levels in 1995, I studied Art and Design with an Art Foundation course and then gained a 2:1 honors degree in Textile Design. After studying hard I decided I needed a well earned break and took a gap year to work and travel around the USA. I have always had a lust for travel - my childhood was spent growing up in Australia, Borneo and Gibraltar, with additional trips to Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia and Europe and more recently Sri Lanka. I have brought elements of my personal experiences from these amazing countries into my own artwork.

When I came home I knew that my strength was in teaching others so I took off again! This time a bit closer to home - the University of Brighton to learn to teach secondary school Art and Design.

I qualified in 2002 and taught secondary art and design at Crofton School in Stubbington. I loved my work, combining my love of art with working with children. They have such creativity and imagination, but some lack confidence. The rewards are endless and I aim to instill the belief that anyone can enjoy, and become an artist.

My family and I relocated to Qatar in January 2009. I am also Mum to Elana and Callie - another fantastic job! And they love to help their Mum to paint! My art is varied, I produce nautical acrylic paintings on canvas, mainly by commission, they are bright and very tactile and textural.

My most popular work is abstract stripes and again these can be commissioned to suit any interior of your own home or work, they can be textural and more organic in shape or very linear and stark. I also have a number of original silk screen prints based on animals and transport, some of which are mounted and framed, again these are lively and bright pieces, but smooth in texture.

Last but not least - are portraits, all commissioned, again acrylic on canvas. I can work from your favourite photo for this.




verity watkins