Born in London on 26th January 1980

VJ grew up in the Lake District and is now based in London with a studio in Fulham.

Following a foundation year at St Martins, VJ discovered that a more traditional drawing style suited her best. She then moved to Florence where she spent three years at Charles.H.Cecil, studying old master techniques, taking influences from Ribera, Van Dyck, Velasquez and Singer Sargent, whilst painting solely from nature.