Artist Statement
"I have always been inspired by the natural landscape, but moving to the West Coast in 2001 revealed to me the dramatic, vast views of nature’s canvas and led to energetic and passionate paintings. My preference is to paint insitu; absorbing the energy of the space, and expressing it quickly onto the canvas. I will start with an interesting composition in mind and be open to what direction the painting will take.
You never know what cues will lead to a great painting.. sometimes it is obvious and beautiful, like a backlit forest, other times its just a shape, or a piece of music. The process that leads you there is as satisfying as the result.
I love the complexity that texture conveys when mixed with vivid and unexpected colour combinations. Complimentary colours and tones contrasting and enhancing each other delight and inspire me. Contrasts of all sorts interest me - light and shadow; positive and negative; hot and cold; the picture’s complexity or open space. I love the alchemy involved in exploring new techniques and materials, and the effects that can occur. Materials are an ongoing experiment with me and I use them to exaggerate contrasts. New developments have been contrasting shiny metallic or pearlescent underpainting with impasto oil paint, fat and dull with wax. As you walk around the finished painting, the light follows you glittering, alive… glimpsing from behind the sleepy thick surface.
I prefer large canvases – enabling the viewer to enter the work and the landscape.”
