My specific interest is in the area where art and horticulture overlap.  Landscapes and cityscapes have a direct and visceral power and, as far back as I can remember, both the forms of nature - its structures, patterns and processes, and the way man-made structures are often informed by these, have fascinated me. I am especially interested in where natural and manmade worlds rub shoulders - roadside verges, canals, bridges, harbours and of course, gardens. I enjoy the visual tensions that occur where order and chaos compete for ground. I believe passionately that most of us need some `green relief' in our increasingly structured and technology- fueled lives and that a well designed outdoor space can effect positive change on many different levels. As a qualified teacher, I am really aware of the positive impact a  well designed space can have on children and I enjoy  the challenge of  working with them and for them on outdoor projects of all kinds.

I love plants; I love their textures and colours, their fragrance, their fundamental role in nature, their usefulness and their sheer diversity. Plants are exuberant and unpredictable and unlike other areas of design, working with plants requires taking the long view. As a sculptor, I also love materials: wood, stone, metal, paper and clay, and the dialogue that can occur between hard landscaping and plants. But most of all, I love to know `where I am' in space and local plants and materials and the way they are used can tell stories about the place we are in; its climate, its soil, its history and its culture. This sense of `local distinctiveness' informs my work. It is not a straight-jacket but I do aim always to design in relation to the locality, using materials in an innovative way but planting with an awareness of what already thrives there, and how my work will fit into the wider ecosystem. To this end, I aim to source building materials locally and try to avoid those that have a high environmental impact. Wherever possible I work with nature rather than battling against it. I believe this leads to a healthy and more easily maintainable and durable space, and one that is a pleasure to be in, wherever you are in the food chain!