About
I am a Cumbrian artist whose work explores strength, emotion, and connection — both human and wild. My paintings are deeply rooted in personal experience, shaped by an ongoing fascination with the female gaze and the spirit of the natural world that surrounds me.
Whether I’m painting a woman who meets the viewer’s gaze with quiet defiance or a red stag standing steadfast in the fells, my work is about presence — that raw, unguarded moment when strength and vulnerability meet.
My creative process is intuitive and therapeutic. I don’t start with a fixed vision; instead, I let each piece unfold naturally in the solitude of my studio. Working with oils, acrylics, and pastels on canvas or wooden panels, I build texture and colour through layers of experimentation, allowing emotion and instinct to guide the way.
SELF-PORTRAIT
Portraits & the Female Gaze
Much of my work centres on the female gaze — women portrayed not as idealised figures but as strong, direct, and unapologetically themselves. These portraits challenge traditional notions of femininity, inviting the viewer to meet their eyes and feel the quiet power behind them.
The Wilder Heart
The same sense of strength and presence extends into The Wilder Heart, a collection inspired by the native animals of Britain’s land and sky. From the humble bumblebee to the rugged Herdwick sheep and the noble red stag, each painting reflects a deep connection to the landscape of Cumbria — its resilience, solitude, and untamed beauty.
Just as my portraits explore human emotion, these works explore the spirit of the wild — the heartbeat of the natural world that inspires and grounds me.
Hearts & Hooves - The Calvert Trust Collaboration
This sense of connection also inspired my collaboration with The Calvert Trust, where I created a heartfelt series celebrating the horses of the Calvert stables. These acrylic paintings capture the grace, warmth, and quiet strength of the horses who bring joy and confidence to riders of all abilities.
The collection has been transformed into greeting cards, prints, and cosy apparel, with a portion of every sale supporting the Calvert Trust’s incredible work — from caring for the horses to running much-loved activities like Pony Club and Tea and Trot sessions.
“The bond between these horses and the people they help is truly inspiring,” says V.K Oils. “It’s been a joy to bring that to life through my art.”
This collaboration is a celebration of compassion, connection, and creativity — a chance for people to take take home a piece of meaningful art while supporting a cause that touches countless lives.
My Artistic Vision
Across every collection — from portraits to wildlife to collaborative projects — my work is driven by a desire to capture presence: that moment when strength, vulnerability, and emotion meet. Whether human or animal, each subject holds a story, a gaze, and a truththat deserves to be seen.
Through colour, texture, and instinctive mark-making, I aim to create art that feels both personal and universal, deeply rooted in the spirit of Cumbria yet resonant far beyond it.