Painting |

Broadway Arts Festival

I have been selected to take part in an Open Art Competition, part of Broadway Arts Festival and hosted by Theatrebarn Bretforton.
The exhibition runs from the 4th – 13th June 2021

‘Time & tide.’ Mixed media on paper 70cm x 52cm framed

Creative development

As lockdown begins to ease and life starts to look like returning to normal, I am feeling more optimistic and inspired.

Over the months I have been giving my art direction a lot of thought. I have been thinking about how I paint and why; a very useful process to go through, particularly when there are less demands on my time. My focus has been very much on how I can convey a sense of a place which isn’t real but might exist in an amalgamation of memories. My intention being to capture a sense of timelessness or fleeting moments which linger in the mind but with a vagueness attached. I like the feeling of looking out to sea and drifting off into a trance or a daydream.

Technically I have been looking to abstraction to help me achieve these ideas. By removing the specifics of a place I hope to create a new visual space. To help achieve this I have been using texture to conjure up the feel of a place and heightened colour to remove it from realism.

These paintings are pieces that I have been working on most recently. They may change a little yet but I need to live with them for a short while before I decide.

Warwickshire open studios

Like many events in 2020 Warwickshire open studios have been cancelled due to covid 19.
By now my exhibition would be in situ, so I thought I would share some of the pieces of work I’d have on display

2 Blues

I’ve completed some new work for the 2 Blues Exhibition, which is currently on show in the Floor One Gallery, Rugby Museum and Art Gallery.
I am showing alongside abstract artist Gordon Connell until the 5th March and we are open everyday from 10 – 5 pm.

‘Surging on.’
Mixed media on paper.
61 x 51 cm framed.

‘A moment of clarity.’
Mixed media on board.
55 x 45 cm framed

‘Violet light.’
Oil on canvas.
30 x 30 cm.

‘The time approaches.’
Mixed media on paper.
61 x 51 cm framed.

‘Swirling days merge.’
Mixed media on board.
39 x 34 cm framed.

Looking back & forwards into 2020

As I look back on 2019 I believe my work has progressed, in the way I use paint and other mediums. I have made a concerted effort to work on a larger scale and feel I have been successful. I will still continue to work small too, I get a lot of pleasure from working at different scales. I’ve also been developing my etching skills and I am particularly enjoying dry point. I am intending to try collagraph printing and sugar lift when I next making a copper plate etching. My motivation in all scenarios is mark making and the different qualities I can achieve..

As well as progress in my work I have also been involved in more art exhibitions and events and hope to continue building on these in 2020. My next project is an exhibition at Rugby Museum & Art Gallery, where I will be showing alongside Gordon Connell

June news

Preparations are well underway for Warwickshire Open Studios. I am again exhibiting with 8 other artists in Ettington Church.

It’s very exciting to be part of this event. I have completed many new piece of work, though inevitably some things will have to wait for the next show, as they are not quite ready! I have two exhibitions in November already in the calendar and I have recently added a two week show at Rugby Art Gallery for February 2020. Here I will be exhibiting alongside another artist. Our working title is 2 Blue.

Also and very happily, The White Horse Gallery opened on the 8th June. I am privileged enough to have be included amongst their many artists. It’s a great new contemporary looking space. For more information see http://whitehorsegallery.co.uk/

Ettington Church. CV37 7TH
Opening hours: Saturday 15th 11-5, Sunday 16th 12-5, Thursday 20th 11-5, Friday 21st 11-5, Saturday 22nd 11-5, Sunday 23rd 12-5, Thursday 27th 11-5, Friday 28th 11-5, Saturday 29th 11-5, Sunday 30th 12-5.
https://www.warwickshireopenstudios.org/