SOUTH WEST ACADEMY SPRING EXHIBITION

"I am an expressive painter who creates semi-abstract landscape paintings inspired by my surroundings here in the South West. I am fascinated by the way light, weather and seasons constantly change our environment. My process begins outdoors with location studies in sketch books in which I use inks to capture the movement and energy of the moment and my emotional reaction to it. Back in the studio, I use these studies as a spring board for larger pieces. Using a combination of acrylic, emulsion and pastels I physically pour, drip and splash the paint adding expressive marks which bring contrast, energy and depth to the final piece."

"But what then is the value of the finished product? Maybe the value was in the journey, not the destination and the end expression is just the footprint. I have great respect for the artists in history who influence my work — Hals, Rubens, Rembrandt. Yet I am equally influenced by contemporary artists who question disciplines of the past. Kline, Duchamp, Bacon. It is not the subject matter they paint that interests me but the intensity, the emotion, they render in their work. I find myself working to express that same emotion, joy or grief, in the quality of a fine charcoal line or the sweep of a full brush. It has never seemed important to deliver answers, only to ask questions and to contribute to the conversation." 

"My aim is to use the watercolour medium for the very special qualities that it possesses. The paintings are concerned with capturing light and atmosphere and wherever possible, influenced by a narrative thread within the composition." 

"It’s all rock and roll"

"I look to engage with the environment studying and painting what inspires me, particularly the quality of light, which can produce wonderful atmosphere and emotion. I paint quickly using somewhat abstract loose brushstrokes aiming to give life and energy to my work."