Amy Orrell (nee Dibben) graduated from the University of East Anglia in 2001 with a first class degree in American Studies. After nearly ten years of work in the heritage sector and teaching she decided to follow in the footsteps of her father, Andrew Dibben, and pursue a full time career in art.

Although self taught, Amy has a rich artistic heritage (painters, photographers, writers) on both sides of her family and her passion for traditional skills, combined with a love of story-telling, comes in part from their influence.

Amy Orrell's work focuses predominantly on the human figure and the tradition of narrative art. Her detailed oils and watercolours are inspired by classic illustrators such as Edmund Dulac and by the Pre-Raphaelite artists whose work also relied heavily on myth and legend.

“Though I may have a particular tale in mind when I begin working on a new image,” says Amy, “paintings have a life of their own and I love the idea that the viewer will create their own stories for the images that I make.”

Amy has exhibited in Norwich, North Norfolk and London, including the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour at the Mall Galleries.