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I trained as an illustrator and a teacher and originally created illustrations for jigsaw puzzles and company brochures. But then I concentrated on teaching until we moved out of London. My sons were still very young when we first came to Kent: Max was nine, Finlay two, and Toby was six months, so I concentrated on them and finding my feet in the area whilst we did up our house. Then I started adult education teaching which I still do in Ashford and Tenterden and I really enjoy working with people who are so full of inspiration and paint such ambitious, and accomplished, work.

I’ve always carried on with my own work and have a variety of styles – I really dont want to get stuck doing one thing because I find it very tiresome. I paint all sorts of things – still life, landscapes, murals – and work in pen and ink, acrylics and watercolour, depending on the style. In reality, What's going on in my life dictates what I am working on – and how much time I have to do other things! Someone saw my kitchen and I ended up designing their kitchen which in turn led to other similar commissions. Ive also done a lot of murals for people and for five years much of my time was taken up with interior design. But I love buildings and architectural style fascinates me and drawing them is a great pleasure. When I am commissioned to paint a house, I always prefer to work on location – I hate working from photographs.

For a few years, lack of space meant that I had to work at the kitchen table which was frustrating. With three children, the kitchen table was constantly needed for other things – homework, eating, playing – I was forever having to clear my work away. So at Easter, my husbands carpentry skills were put to work and he has created a wonderful studio for me in a corner of the garden by adapting a former shed.

I am amazed at how much difference having a studio has made to my work. Like most people, the only time I really got to be by myself before, was when I was on my own in the car. Now I have my own space and I get quite protective of it, however many requests I get to “just store� things in my studio. I am much more prolific with my work because I can now leave something in situ without having to worry about it being touched and then I can return to it in the evening. I probably spend at least three evenings a week working in here and I love it. I can potter in the garden and mull things over to perfect them. Ive done so much more work that I was able to open my studio for the first time this year as part of South East Open Studios.

Sharon will be running a series of summer schools on Landscape Painting in Woodchurch which can be booked as individual days or for the full four days: 6 & 7, and 13 & 14 July. £20 per day, including lunch. Sharon will paint to commission, prices starting from £140, and can be contacted on 01233 860 191.