Mani Parkes

'The day-to-day sights that I see on the school run often inspire my paintings. Cycling through the higgledy-piggledy streets, I love the charming buildings and quirky characters that I see. I love nature; I love a beautiful pair of spotty wellingtons or a stripy scarf; I love moments that make me smile. Sitting at my living room table, I turn my simple sketchbook doodles into cheerful paintings. I like to use acrylic, combining my muted palette of chalky blues, greys and whites with an uplifting dash of red.' (Mani Parkes)