Her father (Major Percy Harris) was a British Army officer and the family moved frequently.

[3] In 1948, she enrolled at the Plymouth College of Art, where she learnt a careful observation of detail and skilful drawing under William Mann.

[2][3] She then worked at the Plymouth City Art Gallery, where she was involved in educating children about its collections and loaning pictures to local schools.

[3] Instead, she gained employment as secretary and personal assistant to the Keeper of the Schools at the Royal Academy of Arts; first Sir Henry Rushbury and then his successor Peter Greenham.

[2] She left her job at the Royal Academy to set up a studio in Barnes, London, specialising in glass engraving.