Country Living’s Top 40 Artisans…

Running a small creative business has never been harder.

Wearing all the hats from designer, painter, content creator and accountant. No two days are the same and each creative project brings new challenges and a chance to pursue new creative expression and push my skills further.

Running Dingley is a living, breathing process that ebbs and flows with the seasons. There are the literal changes as my surroundings move through winter to spring, summer and autumn. But also the seasons of life, the highs and the lows. Adapting to ever changing circumstances whilst staying grounded and remaining in the flow of life.

Painting and creating daily can sometimes be all consuming. Always looking to the next project, following the next spark of inspiration. Rarely stopping to look up and around and see how far Dingley has travelled. Recently I’ve given myself time to reflect as have been voted in amongst some of the top creative talent in the country by Country Living as part of their Top 40 Artisans awards for 2025.

Just wow.

To be recognised and given the endorsement by such a wonderful publication alongside its patreon Emma Bridgewater has stopped me in my tracks. Living a creative life is not for the faint hearted, its long days plugging away at an idea and keeping the faith that people will find what you create and love it as much as you do. To receive this recognition has made my year as a small creative business.

Its moments like these that put extra fuel in the tank to keep going, keep creating and trust that all will be well….