For reasons I don’t recall, I was obsessed with the peregrine falcon as a kid. I could tell you all sorts about them. For example; did you know that their eyesight is approximately eight times stronger than humans, meaning they can see their prey (a pigeon, for example) from over three kilometres (2-ish miles) away? They are incredible.

I didn’t really think about specifically being a bird maker until the first time I participated in the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair. Several people, presumably for lack of knowing my actual name, called me ‘Bird Lady’. I had other creatures on my stand, but presumably none quite so eye catching. I got more commissions for bird species than anything else, and thus began my bird emphasis.

I spend a lot of time with my sketchbooks, drawing my subjects, which are now almost entirely birds. And I get really into the fact collecting side of things.

Around six years ago I wanted a pet - in particular a rescue, when it occurred to me that parrots were an option. There are plenty that desperately need homes. Parrots require a lot of care, a lot of time every day (and also in years- maybe 70, 80 years with larger species), and I think lots of people buy them without thinking this through. Parrot rescues vet people thoroughly. Seriously. I’d never known anything like it. There are several phone interviews, a house check, a checklist of parrot harming household stuff you need to remove, and various forms and applications. Fortuitously, I had my parrot sketchbook-come-encyclopaedia, as though waiting for this day, so I was well versed in parrot knowledge. It was six months until a grumpy, terrified Pidgeon (a Senegal parrot who coos like a pigeon. I do not know why there is a D in his name) arrived at my doorstep. Another six months until we were friends. Because you can learn all the facts there are out there, but there are seldom things harder than earning the trust of a prey animal with19 years of life experience of humans that tells him that we are not to be trusted. Being his buddy feels like a genuine achievement.

I like the quiet, so there is no radio or music player in my work room, but if I open the window I can hear the birds outside. There are fewer more delightful sounds than their cheeps and whistles. And now I have rescue parrots, they are accompanied by squawks and clicks and ‘COOOOEEEE!’ from Senegal Sam, ever the attention seeker, who actually speaks more English than bird- he is quite the wordsmith.

And at my desk, under my giant window, I can watch birds dance about the sky all day, like little acrobats. Swifts are my dad’s favourite animal, because you can genuinely see them playing in the sky. I’ve sat watching them with him many times.

And it always feels majestic to get to watch birds. Different birds evoke a different atmosphere. Ravens at the Tower of London, or a murder of crows in the woods brings out such a sense of awe, The caws can sometimes seem quite haunting. And when a collection of finches and tits lands in your tree or patio it’s always such a delightful treat. Magpies strutting across the lawn always make me laugh. And there is nothing more ridiculous than wood pigeons, who seem to have no idea of their own size, as they try to join in at the bird feeder. I think because they are so rightfully wary of us, it feels like an honour to get to witness them play.

It’s this playfulness that makes me love them. My parrots do things sometimes for no other reason than mischief. Sam purposefully aims seeds that he throws into your cup, just to get a reaction, then chuckles like an old man. Pidgeon likes to pretend to bite things, and pauses, beak open, watching me, so I can tell him ‘no’, and he whistles with delight at being caught in the act. It’s like their entire purpose on Earth is to clown around.

I never intended that this would be my career, but it makes so much sense that this is how it turned out. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.