I came to Kenya in 1997 after completing a Msc and Bsc in Textile Design. This move from the urban jungle of London to the Great Rift Valley had a profound and positive effect on me personally and creatively. The sense of freedom and adventure was tangible and I started to paint to share my experiences, travels and my connections with subjects, which appeal to me.

My work explores these positive influences and empathy with my environment. Our light aircraft allows my husband and me to reach remote places and return to Nairobi to work. I paint, make sketches, notes and scribbles and take photos for reference. I take these back to my rooftop studio where I develop a series of works of my experience, often simplifying a scene or enhancing a colour or impression.

I work predominantly in the studio with oils onto traditionally gessoed panels or sized canvasses. I then work over an 'imprimature' toned ground, followed by a monochrome underpainting or 'grisaille'. I then paint 'alla prima', in one or two sittings, preferring to be spontaneous and uninhibited with my brush strokes.

I also prefer to paint a wide variety of subjects, from Wildlife to Still Life, Landscapes to Market scenes. This freedom suits my temperament and keeps me challenged and creative.

My new web site is www.amyart.moonfruit.com