Sam Burke, Chair

My background is as a Project Manager & Supplier/Service Manager in the corporate world.

Now I create glass art, inspired by my love of the natural world. I love to create pieces that evoke fond memories of adventures to favourite places. Creating art makes me happy and I love being part of the art community, especially here at Visual Images Group.

I am co-founder & Chair of the ‘Made in Stony Association (MIS)’. MIS is a non profit membership association, run by volunteers, to support artists & artisans of Stony Stratford.

I have exhibited at the Gawcott Church exhibition, as part of Bucks Art Weeks, since 2019.

Jay Nolan-Latchford, Deputy Chair

My first childhood memories are of drawing, making, painting and crafting. I always knew I’d be an artist. After leaving school I studied illustration at my local college followed by a Graphic Design and Printmaking degree in Brighton. I worked for several years as a freelance designer in London before relocating to Bucks and establishing my own design company.

In recent years I’ve returned to my first love of painting and illustration. My range of watercolour, ink and mixed media art with their distinctive nature themes and bright colour palettes aim to be joyful. I love the outdoor life and have made my home on a houseboat moored on the Grand Union canal surrounded by the countryside.

I’m keen to pass on my skills and having undertaken a teaching qualification I began hosting workshops for adults several years ago.

I’m passionate about art for well-being and love working with people from all different fields. Being involved with groups of creatives and like minded people is both fulfilling and part of an artists journey. VIG has such an important role to play in our community.

Lauren Butcher, Coordinator

After completing an MA in Arts Management in London, I worked across a variety of public arts organisations and museums, including the V&A and the London Transport Museum, before spending several years in communications and PR for arts and culture.

Since relocating from East London to Henley-on-Thames, I’ve given myself more space to focus on creative outlets and joined a local pottery studio to reconnect with my love of ceramics and get involved in the local arts community. I exhibited in my first Bucks Art Weeks in 2025 and am currently developing my practice in large sculptural vessels, with a hope to pursue other exhibition opportunities in the future! 

Sarah Allen, Relationships Coordinator

During a fast paced career in technology and business consulting, art remained my touchstone and I found myself filling holidays with courses and spare time making and sketching. 

Priorities changed and I took a career break to dedicate time to developing skills and concepts that had been running around my head unanswered. 

Time overseas and raising a family did not diminish my instinct to create, and Sculptureintheround is my studio where I create sculptures, exploring many different techniques and run workshops and 1:1s on some of these practices. I have exhibited here and alongside other local artists.

Peter Hawkes, Directory Editor

I studied Typography & Graphic Communication at the University of Reading in the 1980s and for the last 35 years have run a graphic design and publishing business that specialises in local history books and visitor guides. In 2022 I established The Good Earth Gallery in Chesham, supporting local artists by displaying paintings, prints, glass art, ceramics, wood turning, jewellery and hand-made gifts. My true passion is gardening and I run two allotments – one a mini orchard, the other a bee garden – where creativity truly comes alive with nature leading the way.

Sarah Cripps, Communications Coordinator

I studied at the universities of Manchester and London and have a Master’s in Victorian Studies. I love the portraits of Cezanne, Van Gogh and Munch and the way that oil paint’s vibrant colours and texture can express a mood and capture a moment.

I worked in marketing and fundraising in London for over 20 years, but I ‘retired’ to go back to art just before lockdown and have been painting professionally since then. I like to focus on portraits but I enjoy a challenge and will try most subjects. When I’m not painting I’m also a dog walker so there are plenty of dogs in my portfolio too!

Jill Chadwick, Treasurer

As an artist myself, I feel a responsibility to support the volunteers that make the shows I take part in possible. So when the position of Treasurer came up, I decided I could help. Although most of my career was spent in IT, I started out as an Accountant. Having now largely retired, I do some Bookkeeping and Treasury work alongside my art, as well as working the odd shift in the Norden Farm Art Centre Bar.

Bucks Artists and Makers are a great and hardworking team of dedicated people, and I am proud to be part of that.

As for my art, my career was always highly creative, and as I worked less, I needed another creative outlet. Making both stained glass and fused glass addressed that and was more technical, so suited my skillset. I never get bored of the amazing colours in glass and the way it changes in different lighting. It’s a truly versatile medium to work with, limited only by imagination.

Mia Babb, Committee Member

After completing an Art Foundation Course at High Wycombe College in 1985 I took a year out to earn some money for University but the lure of financial gain meant I never continued my art studies. During a varied career I constantly tried new methods and media in my spare time and also completed a BA in Art History through the Open University.

After suffering a stroke during brain surgery I turned to Pen & Ink to re-train my right arm which had been temporarily paralysed. Involvement at a local art show, where I helped to organise as well as exhibit, gave me the confidence to not only display more but also to set up my own Fine Art (Giclée) printing studio providing services to artists and photographers. Just being able to discuss art with so many people is a joy!

Pen & Ink (normally including gold leaf) is still my favourite medium and I get completely lost in capturing detail. I also love coloured pencil and pastels, especially when doing commissions, and still experiment whenever possible with different media.