Following a career as a freelance ceramic and textile sculptor and teacher, Gillian moved to Derbyshire where she started to paint in watercolour. "I love travel and I sketch and photograph my subjects, but complete paintings in the studio, where I find emotion recollected brings greater freedom of expression," says Gillian. "Painting for me has a spiritual dimension, and each work is highly personal." A degree in English Literature followed by research on William Blake, a course in arts therapy in education, an interest in Jungian psychology and shamanism, and a lifelong love of music influence the way Gillian approaches her painting.