Ann Thornton studied Art at Sunderland Art College (Dip Art & Design) specialising in Ceramics and Fine Art, and Newcastle University BA , PGCE. Ann was Head of the Visual Arts Department at Tudhoe Grange Secondary School between 1986 and  2004. 

In recent years she has developed her interest in natural structural forms from close observation of the countryside. Her work celebrates colour and shows that, in the natural world, there is as much going on underground as above, and how elements interact and influence one another.

Previous exhibitions have been held in Carlisle, Crawcrook and Barnard Castle. Ann’s work has also developed as an illustrator of children’s stories. Ann’s life has been immersed in ‘the arts’ as the daughter of the celebrated artist Norman Cornish MBE.