I loved painting and drawing in my childhood and teen years, then stopped in my 20s to concentrate on writing fiction. However, I took art up again during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. I began painting in acrylics, and loved it so much I have continued ever since. I now work as an artist alongside my life as an author of fiction and non-fiction books, which I write under the pen name SC Skillman. I paint places of inspiration, whether real or imagined. My rediscovery of painting has been a source of joy, peace and hope for me; all fears and worries melt away when I begin painting. I delight in using bright, fresh colours, and I paint in a naïve style. I hope that my paintings evoke a sense of childlike wonder.

Through my art, I create images of places I'd love to visit. Recurrent themes include landscape gardens, lakes, rivers, winding paths, bridges, fantasy pagodas or gazebos. I also include a magical element, a hint that this is not wholly our physical, material world.