Anita is a watercolour and acrylic painter who was born in Somalia and travelled extensively until settling in Jersey in 1991.

Anita studied art at school obtaining various distinctions; studied watercolour privately in Winchester and after moving to Jersey she continued under the tutolage of David Henley.

She took up pottery painting in 1993 and won a gold award in the Jersey Eistedford in 1995.

Anita works primarily in watercolour with a focus on developing colour whilst trying to represent true form. Her choice of subjects gravitate towards florals and landscapes. She is interested in creating sweeping washes, and usually paints with a wet into wet style. Anita uses brushes and spray bottle of water to continue adding colours and shapes. The composition develops with layers of washes, whilst the use of spray keeps the edges soft creating varied effects.

Many of the commissions Anita receives are pet and equestrian portraits. She produces these in either watercolour or acrylic, paper or stretched canvas as the client wishes.

More recently Anita has turned to painting on local slates which transpired after acquiring oddments on walks around the parishes. She initially started by working on local points of interest but then received commissions for other works, such as animals and even a vintage car! The slates have become so popular that she needed a constant supply and by putting an SOS email to local roofers one came up ‘trumps’.

Commissions –
• Jersey Hospice Christmas card and original painting
• Huggler Group Christmas card and postcard
• NatWest Jersey Christmas card
• Various private studies, e.g. houses, pets, flowers and still life
• Animal Health Trust
• Jersey Race Club
• The National Asthma Campaign (Jersey Branch)

Exhibited art with
• Studio 18, St. Helier
• Solo exhibition, St Helier
• Harbour Gallery, St Aubin

Artist's Statement
‘‘I have always loved colour and try to depict this through my art work. Likewise, I am very keen on photography and I often use it as a base for my work. Jersey is a beautiful island and a fabulous canvas for ideas.’’