Painter, especially of views associated with the river and the sea, born in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire. She was brought up in Cleveland, where she attended Cleveland College of Art and Design, 1987–8. After Newcastle upon Tyne University, 1988–92, obtained a postgraduate diploma at Royal Academy Schools, 1992–5. Among her awards were Tony Smith Landscape Award and British Institute Fund, both 1994; David Murray Scholarship, National Westminster Bank Art Prize and runner-up, The Hunting Prize, all 1995; and in 1996 at RA Summer Exhibition, prize from M&G for best painter under 35 years. Stage was twice runner-up for the Villiers David Prize, in 2000 and 2001, winning it in 2003. She was elected NEAC in 1999. Mixed shows included RA Summer Exhibition from 1993; Redfern Gallery, 1995; and Making a Mark, at Mall Galleries, and three-artist exhibition at Cadogan Contemporary, both 1996.