As an artist I am always striving to get out of my head and onto canvas what I am thinking and feeling through any events in my life.
At the moment I am sure we are all a bit fed up with covid and lockdown. Let me take you on my positive journey through this period of time and out the other side where yes, there were difficult times to be sure but there was and still is a light at the end of the tunnel. For me these last two years have given me the opportunity to focus as an artist on my nearest and dearest. To follow my children on a journey through an unprecedented time where there was fun and mischief to be had in the simplest of circumstances, to embrace my inner child..
Before Lockdown I was looking in detail at what it was that entertained us. My paintings focused on festivals/lantern parades, amusement arcades and crazy golf! All of which involved spending copious amounts of hard earned cash on sticky sweet delights, plastic light up toys and joy rides! Don't get me wrong, I am still up for this kind of entertainment and as I have been thinking of late I am in fact preconditioned to enjoy these kinds of things. But..... When this was off the menu I had the privilege of enjoying the simpler things in life. It was like a prolonged (very prolonged Christmas). Board games, card games, exercising for the sake of exercise. In the wet weather we would pull on those wellies and stamp in puddles or walk through the local shallow stream examining the tiny stones underfoot and collecting old pottery and other precious gems.
Running wild in the dark was a must with torches and light up toys just for fun! A simple picnic in the park. Actually getting on the local park rides with my children (when they were open again, i've always tried to do this but there's normally too many people around). Feeding those pigeons over and over again at Newton Abbot Quay...they grew much much fatter over lockdown! But the most entertaining item of all for my children? Why it's free and they seem to be on the ground everywhere. Yes, sticks were number one! Or in some cases half a tree would be dragged around!
Come to my solo show at Harbour House Kingsbridge and see my large scale figurative works. It will no doubt evoke some of your own memories and help you re-connect with your own childhood.
The exhibition runs from 28th September - 10th October
Monday - Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Sundays: 10 am - 4 pm
Admission free
