Places & nature

Places, parties, people….I love to capture my experiences for posterity.

Peonies, poppies and bluebells…..The colourful world around me makes my heart sing.

Parties, festivals, gatherings

I’m rather partial to a party. Whether it’s dancing to a silent disco in a garden, going wild at Wilderness Festival, a gathering of souls at Nina of Woodstock’s studio, or dancing at Nocturne at Blenheim Palace, you’ll find me (and my imagination) there.

Landscapes & florals

Every weekend when I take my daughter horseriding, I admire Raph’s flowers, at Soho Farmhouse. There’s something about florals which is oh so inspiring. In bluebell season, when the woods around Woodstock come alive with ‘the witches fairies’ I imagine the woods full of fairy-like dancers.

Circus

Giffords Circus has been a Parkes family favourite for the last 13 years! It’s always visually stunning, and founder Nell Gifford’s artistic vision set the foundation for something truly extraordinary. Whilst I’ve only visited once, Cirque du Soleil is on a whole different physical scale (though the quality of Giffords performers is equal) and has inspired a series of ‘angel’ paintings.

Travels

My trusty Caran D’Ache Aquerelles are always packed when I go on my travels, to capture the colour of my surroundings.

Architecture

Sugar House Island near London’s Olympics Park has a family link. My ancestors owned an ink factory there, where the first fleurescant paint was created. Which may explain my love of colour.