“Chiswick House has always been really special to me. The setting is absolutely beautiful. Before I’d even moved up to London, I spent time in the park, watching the coots build their nests. And then once I’d moved to Dukes Meadows, cycling in and out, meeting friends, walking with my babies in a buggy. So when I heard about the studios opening a few years ago, I knew that as much as passing through here was lovely, I wanted to actually be here – to come into work, to spend more time here, and to encourage people to visit, as I knew I would be very proud. Because now, on warm days, I get to bring my lunch and think, ‘Which bench shall I sit on today?’ It’s those quiet moments where I feel so privileged to have the Kitchen Gardens and grounds right here. I’m proud to say you can come to my studio in Chiswick House & Gardens, and the reaction from people I invite is one of equal excitement.

There is so much community and potential for collaboration. The space inspires me to try more ambitious ideas with different mediums.

“I was a bit worried at first about having a small, cube‑shaped studio after coming from a bigger space. I thought, ‘Is it big enough?’ But every bit of furniture I chose to bring here from my old space fit exactly: a window, a gallery wall for my finished framed works, an ideas‑and‑in‑progress wall, and my desk. My desk is my dad’s old desk. He died just over a year ago, and it was important that I continued to build on his legacy. We laughed together when I found that everything fit so well! And it is enough. What else do I need?

“There is so much community and potential for collaboration. The space inspires me to try more ambitious ideas with different mediums. I like to think I will work with the other artists here in time, learning from one another and bonding with them. But it’s not just the artists who have community. The gardeners and volunteers from Chiswick House who tend to the Kitchen Garden do fantastic outreach programs throughout the local community, which combines perfectly with the general buzz from people milling around the Kitchen Garden when it’s open.

“The Open Studios also offered a fantastic opportunity for me to share my passion with people who might not usually engage with art. I love to connect with local people and welcome visitors I’ve invited who made a longer journey to be there. I really thrive when I am talking to people and nurturing their curiosity, and it is something truly special about these Open Studios. I’m so happy to have managed to get a space at the Artists’ Studios at Chiswick House & Gardens.

I love to connect with local people and welcome visitors I’ve invited who made a longer journey to be there.

“About the Learning Hub: I like the idea that there’ll be more people out there. I love that even more kids, schools, and other groups will get the opportunity to see what we’re doing, and us them. It’s so valuable showing people that there are other, non‑traditional ways of living life, of finding something that really drives you. Chiswick House and Gardens, as such a beautiful and inspiring ground, is a perfect place to understand how art and nature unite people of all ages and backgrounds. And by slowing down and paying attention to the beauty and detail of nature and life, we give ourselves and each other time – real time – to just be in the moment.”