The sitter was of humble birth and her height never exceeded thirty-seven inches. She painstakingly mastered the use of her mouth to paint to great effect. She was exhibited all over the country by a Mr Dukes for sixteen years until she was discovered by the Earl of Morton who had her instructed by the popular artist Mr Craig. She then managed to support herself through her art, was patronised by the Royal Family and received a medal from the Society of Artists in 1821. Upon her retirement, she fell into poverty, with which she was aided by a subscription organised by Richard Rathbone (Dictionary of National Biography).