THE PROCESS

My paintings have developed over the years from abstracts based on still life to compositions woven from images taken from the natural world. My inspiration as always is from places and images that I have seen. The compositions are worked up from extensive drawing, of the landscape. The finished pieces range from almost totally abstract compositions evoking a sense of place to more easily recognisable landscape images: the natural world modulated by time and season, disclosed by visual texture and colour.

I have gone from the vast vista of sky sea and air to the much more intimate world of plants and pools. It is wonderful to immerse myself in this tangle of life with its patterns and complexity. For years I have been fascinated by the larger landscape never focussing on the close up but always thinking about what makes the whole. I feel a need to look closer now; using ponds to explore the painted surface.

Colour and light and drawing are very important to me. Colour is used to evoke emotion, and gives a sense of time and place; light is used to create space and to mask and hide objects, creating a sense of mystery. Drawing is giving me a greater idea of place and gives a greater structure to my paintings.

EXPLORE THE PLACES THAT INSPIRE ME>

“There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality.”

PABLO PICASSO