Description of Arts Practice

Concepts for my paintings can come quickly, or sometimes take many months to become clear. I sketch from life constantly, and usually commence a piece using lines taken from these sketches.

Influenced in many ways by Byzantine art, Roman frescoes and mosaics, stained glass, rock art and cave paintings my works have evolved to be bordering on abstract, yet representation is always present in them. Mythology and folklore also feature often in my paintings.

Although I work often on canvas I especially like to work on paper using liquid mediums, mainly watercolour or ink, incorporating other materials such as pigment, collage, pastel and gold leaf, if the painting needs it.

While the world around me provides the subject, I respond by using colour and texture to create an image that depicts the real yet shows that it can be an illusion of reality. I do not paint to create a faithful representation, instead try to evoke a mood or feeling of a place or time.

I have never felt that I am an artist, but instead feel I will always be an art student, learning and discovering as time goes by. I have been described by art lecturers as "an experimental artist". This is how I am happiest when working on a piece. Especially if the painting works, and takes on a life of its own.

Let's get in contact, write an email .