I mainly work in oil because I love the richness of the colour, the smell and the physicality of moving paint on canvas. I’ve recently been exploring oil on small primed blocks. I find this medium can produce a freshness and crudity that I like, and this is informing some of the newer work.
My inspiration comes from observing combinations of colour and texture, sometimes from nature, but also from films, books and everyday life. This is rarely expressed figuratively, as the process of making the painting often leads down different avenues and is a very responsive act for me. I find that when a painting is in progress it often inspires a mood or moment in time that I hold on to and try to refine. This also informs whether I put in careful brushstrokes or looser washes and drips. I aim to create a sense of depth or distance in some works, creating painted frames or avenues. This has been commented on as a reference to my background designing for the stage…..
The most important part of the process for me, however is the joy of applying paint – this gives me a very primitive childlike joy.

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