I'm an artist, qualified teacher and the founder of AJN Fine Art. I hold a BA (Hons) Degree in Fine Art and a Level 6 PGCE in Teaching. Alongside running the art school, I also teach Art and Design at college level, delivering both vocational and A Level courses.
Art has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, and creating AJN Fine Art has allowed me to combine my love of making art with my passion for teaching the next generation of young artists.
My Journey
My love of art began in Year 3 when I made a Tudor house from a cereal box. Looking back now, it probably wasn't my greatest masterpiece, but I remember spending hours carefully making the tiny lattice windows and adding every little detail I could. That project sparked something in me, and from that moment I knew I wanted to be an artist.
What still excites me today is that art never stands still. There is always another material to discover, another technique to learn or another creative problem to solve. Whether I'm working with paint, clay, printmaking or mixed media, I love experimenting and exploring new ideas.
That curiosity is something I bring into every class.
Why I Started AJN Fine Art
As I studied art and later became a teacher, I realised there was something missing.
Schools work incredibly hard to provide creative opportunities, but with limited lesson time and a broad curriculum to cover, it isn't always possible to explore practical artistic skills in depth or introduce students to the wide range of materials and techniques that exist.
I wanted to create the sort of place I would have loved as a child—somewhere dedicated entirely to art. A place where creativity is encouraged, projects aren't rushed, students have the freedom to experiment, and every child has the opportunity to discover what they're capable of.
AJN Fine Art was created to make high-quality art education more accessible and to inspire children to become confident, curious and creative thinkers.
What You Can Expect
Every class begins with a short drawing activity designed to strengthen the core foundations of art, such as observation, proportion and accuracy. Students then move on to a larger project, exploring a wide variety of artistic processes including painting, clay, sculpture, printmaking, mixed media and much more.
While projects are carefully planned, they're also flexible. I encourage students to bring their own interests and ideas into their work, helping every piece become personal rather than simply following instructions.
I'm also constantly refining projects, testing new materials and exploring different techniques to make sure every lesson is engaging, educational and genuinely enjoyable. I don't believe in standing still—if I can make a class better, I will.
My Teaching Philosophy
I don't believe people are simply "good" or "bad" at art.
I believe the best artists are the ones who are willing to have a go. They're curious, open-minded and not afraid to experiment, make mistakes and try something new.
Of course, practical skills are important, and I want every student to leave with stronger artistic techniques than when they arrived. But I also hope they leave with something even more valuable: confidence, resilience and the willingness to tackle challenges without being afraid of getting things wrong.
Some of the biggest smiles I see aren't when a piece is perfect—they're when a student realises they've achieved something they never thought they could.
Beyond the Artwork
One of the greatest privileges of running AJN Fine Art has been watching students grow.
Over the years I've seen children become more confident, more independent and more willing to challenge themselves creatively. I've watched students discover a passion for materials they had never used before and create artwork they are genuinely proud to take home.
Parents often tell me how much their children look forward to coming each week, and one comment I hear surprisingly often is, "I wish this class was for adults!"
To me, that's one of the nicest compliments I could receive.
Qualifications & Experience
BA (Hons) Degree in Fine Art
Level 6 PGCE in Teaching
College Lecturer in Art & Design
Founder of AJN Fine Art
Over three years' teaching experience
A Few Quick Facts
Favourite Artist: Jenny Saville
Favourite Medium: Oil paint will always have a special place, but I also love working with acrylics, watercolours, clay and mixed media. Experimenting with different materials is one of my favourite parts of being an artist.
What's Always on My Desk? A coffee, a pencil and a plant.
Looking Ahead
My ambition is to continue growing AJN Fine Art so that even more children have access to high-quality creative education. I want the school to become a place that young artists remember fondly—somewhere they developed skills, built confidence and discovered a lifelong love of creativity.
Alongside the school, I also hope to spend more time developing my own work as an artist, returning to the studio to paint, experiment and continue learning myself.
If, years from now, someone says, "I went to AJN Fine Art," I hope they remember it as a place where they felt inspired, encouraged and proud of what they achieved.
