I am delighted to be one of the invited artists in the Jack House Gallery Art Advent Calendar in Portsmouth. Pictured here is ‘Death and the Maiden’ monoprint 25x25cm. Twenty five artworks by individual artists will be revealed on a daily basis on the gallery website and in the Gallery window. The theme for the calendar this year is Time. My work sometimes reflects upon the fragility of life and human existence. The maiden in this print is dancing with a figure of her own mortality. The exhibition runs between 1st-25th December.

Beep Painting Biennial

On the theme of a Beetle’s song title ‘I won’t stay in a world without love’ I am proud to announce that I am one of the top 40 artists selected for this years’ Painting Prize exhibition at the Elysium Gallery Swansea. The exhibition runs 9 November-21 December.

My painting ‘In the Balance’ oil on canvas 100x153cm is about our need for others and human contact. In the painting a couple are reaching out to each other to offer support. But they are in precarious circumstances balancing on a plank. If they let go it could lead to collapse. The strengthening clasped hands are based on the Claddagh ring which is a symbol of everlasting love and friendship. The image was inspired by a film still from Arthur Van Gehuchten who was a Belgian neurologist who used unconventional methods of filming his clients to study movement in neurological conditions.

International Original Print Exhibition Bankside Gallery

I am happy to announce that Dante’s Inferno picture scroll was selected for The International Original Print exhibition at Bankside Gallery along with The Debutante solar etching. The exhibition runs from November 7-17^th 11-6pm I am very excited to take these 2 prints to London where I hope more people will have a chance to see them.

Pictured here is the Debutante which is inspired by a short story by Leonora Carrington. A girl made friends with a hyena in the zoo. The hyena agreed to take her place at the Debutante ball. In this macabre tale the hyena takes the face off the maid to wear as a disguise. What could possibly go wrong?

Drawing the Night In at The Young Gallery, Salisbury 24 October- 4 January Monday –Saturday 10-5pm

‘As the hour changes and the autumn light gives way to darkness, six artists come together to mark the drawing in of the night. Their diverse and seductive interpretations, united by the subject of night’s blackness and quiet shadows, explore and reveal the idiosyncrasies, subtleties, and truths of the dark hours. Engaging with the Young Gallery’s permanent collection, while offering their own individual interpretations, the artists invite the viewer to reflect on their own private experience of night.’

Pictured here is my painting Sleepwalker. A girl descends the stairs in stardust. During covid lockdown sleep patterns changed for some people. I started painting in different areas of the house. I made this painting of a sleepwalker descending the stairs in a trance. I was reminded of sleepwalking down the stairs as a child. I recalled waiting for the sandman to sprinkle sleep dust to send me sweet dreams. The drawing is by Susan Francis.

Storybound paintings by Debbie Lee. I am excited to announce that the Slade Centre Gillingham Dorset is presenting a solo exhibition of my work. The Slade centre is a converted Edwardian department store with a café and gallery on the ground floor  and a gallery upstairs. I shall be exhibiting narrative paintings about multigenerational story telling. Stories from Chaucer to Dante to Angela Carter which are embellished with elements of daily family life. Pictured here is a painting of Babette’s Feast a story which unites people in the joy of sharing food and good company. Storybound is on from 28 September-2 November. The Gallery is open Tuesday-Friday 9.30-4pm and Saturday 9.30-2pm. There is a Q&A with the artist planned for 17 October at 6.30pm.

I was thrilled to receive my Royal West of England Academician diploma on varnishing day at the annual open exhibition. The RWA was founded in 1844 in Bristol to promote fine arts in the southwest and beyond. I am exhibiting two paintings, ‘Into the Future’, and ‘Table Tapping’. I am also exhibting a monoprint ‘Carried Away’. My animated Drawing ‘Under the Table’ is also being screened. The exhibition runs from 14 September-5 January. This year you can see the work online so if you cannot make it to Bristol to see the show in person then please take a look here Royal West of England Academy.