I have recently rejoined Derby Sketching Club after a gap of a number of years. Now that I have taken early retirement I am finding the opportunities they provide to draw from life invaluable and it is great to be amongst such a enthusiastic and supportive group of artists.

I have always loved art and craft and have tried my hand at a wide variety of creative pastimes. I always like my work to be original based on my own drawings and designs. To that end I have designed work ranging from tapestries to stained glass panels.

In 2003 part time work allowed me to take a garden design course at Broomfield College. There I was fortunate enough to have my design selected for a show garden at Gardener’s World Live at the NEC Birmingham. It was awarded a silver medal from the Royal Horticultural Society.

I went on to take a Art Foundation Diploma at Derby College in which I specialised in fish sculptures from recycled metal and components. Following on from that I was selected for a sculpture installation at Wirksworth Arts Festival entitled “The Bottle Bank Aquarium”.

Since retiring I have divided my time between painting vibrant poster style acrylics and smaller watercolour studies. I also make small dragonfly sculptures from recycled wire and beads. All of which I sell from time to time locally.

Debbie Beesley 2026