I have been teaching visual arts for 40 years and love the opportunities that this presents to help future generations to both appreciate art and develop the skills to create art in different ways. I was myself encouraged by both my parents and the teachers I encountered through my secondary schooling in particular, to be creative through my drawing, where I demonstrated skill and interest from an early age. I majored in Printmaking through my teaching degree and have loved printmaking ever since. Whilst I have focused my energies on Lino printing, I also enjoy etching and am teaching myself the Mezzotint technique. My prints vary a little in subject matter, but essentially, they are a response to places I visit, spaces that resonate with me and people I love. My prints are the visual response to that connection: the linear qualities that echo the renaissance architecture of Italian cities that I have visited, or the bold splash of colour that creates a focal point for a special icon or landmark that made a lasting impression. My Italian heritage continues to influence me as a person and some of this is also reflected in my artworks: the simple traditions that stay with you.