Small introduction/presentation, job or activity, place of birth or country of origin, training or career, place of living

I am an English artist and sculptor living in Geneva for 25 years. I have 9 brothers and sisters and lived in 8 different countries as a child, England, Malaysia, Germany, Malawi, Ghana, Cyprus, Gibraltar and France. I trained at the City & Guilds School of Art London and the Florence Academy Italy, in figurative sculpture and portraiture. I am an ambassador for the Swiss luxury women’s watch brand Bedat & Co and an ambassador for Children and the Arts with the King’s Foundation. My largest Olympic sculpture stands outside the Palais Wilson in Geneva. I am 58, married, have three adult children and one grandson and I love life with a passion! 

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Tell us about your place of residence, city or region, activity and if or what you like about your hometown?

I live in Switzerland between Vandoeuvres and Meinier, in the beautiful countryside. It is incredible to be surrounded by so much beauty and open green land within 15 minutes of Geneva, an international city. Our home is a Spanish style hacienda with palm trees, arches and roses and is my Heaven on Earth. I have a studio in the garden where I create my sculptures and draw portraits.

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Your must-see addresses near you? (restaurant, market, gallery, museum, not-to-be missed, intimate or secret address, etc.)

We are blessed with many local restaurants around us. There are actually 3 'Cheval Blanc' restaurants within a few miles of each other in Vandoeuvres, Carre D’Aval and Puplinge. We love them all! Also Le Petit Lac restaurant in Corsier Port is a favourite and in town, Robertos and the Japanese restaurant on the rooftop of the Four Seasons Hotel. Auberge du Port in Yvoire is a family tradition, to go by boat and walk through the medieval village and see all the artisan boutiques and eat the best filets de perches on the lake. I think the whole area where I live, for its beauty and peace and proximity to town, is the best kept secret in the property market. 

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Your favorite places on Earth?

Home! 

The island of Mustique because my sister lives there and we have been going there for 30 years, it is difficult to beat for a family holiday.

Sardinia, the Costa Smeralda for the turquoise water and pink beaches. 

Positano for the unbeatable food. 

The Swiss mountains for the most awesome landscapes, hikes and skiing.

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Do you think it is important to travel and why?

It is SO important to open the mind and raise awareness and pique one's curiosity and inform oneself about other cultures, other beliefs, other ways of life and living. People who cannot or have not travelled can only have a their restricted view of the world. It is a great blessing, privilege and honour to be able to travel and see all the wonders and beauties of the world.

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What do you think about the future of travel and what we (citizens) need to consider?

I am sure humanity as a whole will become more conscientious about fuel pollution and try and find alternative routes or green energy.

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What would you advise?

Biking holidays are becoming more popular with the advent of the electric bicycle. Horse riding in Wyoming, Paraguay etc, there are many travel companies offering fitness style holidays where yoga, cycling, riding in nature, visiting temples are all part of the adventure. During lockdown we discovered incredible places just within Switzerland. Sometimes the most beautiful places are on your own doorstep and you don’t need to fly anywhere.

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As a woman, how do you judge the future of our land or our societies?

There is such a growing awareness today of the inequality of sex and race and also the need to protect our environment, that I think the future world will become more just, kinder and more considerate.

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How do you think you can contribute to it? Women who stand out to you?

I think every human being is called to create their own heaven on earth and to raise their own consciousness so that they can raise others. When the earth has enough people living in Truth and in higher-consciousness, we will create Heaven on Earth. 

In Geneva Dona Bertarelli for her passionate support of the ocean. Globally Oprah Winfrey of course for her massive impact in raising awareness and consciousness

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What would be your travel dream?

I would love to go to Japan and see the cherry trees in blossom and ski in Niseko.