As an artist I have always preferred to take my inspiration from the world around me, rather than taking influence from other artists. Growing up and living in Yorkshire, in a house full of pets, this has always included a lot of animals and natural scenery. I've been surrounded by the beauty of nature my whole life, and when visiting big cities it's what I miss the most, so this is what I want to share with my art.

A lot of my works are inspired by nature and the colours found all around in the natural world, even in something as simple as the sky.
I like to experiment with how the sky can change the mood of a landscape, making it more relaxing, more dramatic or even more eerie and mystical. A feeling that only lasts for a few minutes in the real world, as the colours quickly change during the rise and fall of the sun, but can be captured forever with a painting.

I also like to bring out the cuteness and character of animals with bright and whimsical paintings, making people say "aww" even to the more unusual animals. Although sometimes paintings turn bad, animal instincts kick in and the cute fluffy critters turn into killers (while somehow still managing to look adorable).

One set of paintings where this happened has been used as artwork for the musician Mark Morriss and his album "A Flash of Darkness".

Which is another thing that fills my life, so also occasionally creeps into paintings - a love of music. Although personally I have no musical talent, I do spend a lot of time listening to it and admiring the people who do. Musical instruments can be so beautifully designed that they themselves are a work of art, as well as the sound that comes out of them, so I like to show this with my paintings.

Animals, beautiful scenery and music - the things that make me smile and what I would like to share with the rest of the world.

I also have Ukrainian heritage, so signs of this creep into my work occasionally too. Whenever I come back from a visit to Ukraine I always feel inspired by the creativity that can be found all around the country and in the people there.