As a child I could never resist touching things.  To feel the different textures of the world around me has always been a strong impulse, and I relish the tactile qualities of the painter's materials.  My process begins as I try to capture, on the paper, what I see, hear and feel, using words, colour and marks that suggest rather than directly recreate the subject in front of me.  These sketches and words will trigger memories once back in the studio where I begin to translate the smaller en plein air studies into larger paintings on archival paper or linen.

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Sounds and words have played on important part in my life and are also present in my art.  Before I begin to paint I will write words and phrases onto the support, referring back to the time, place and thoughts which created my initial studies.  Even though these words are often lost from view as the artwork progresses, for me, they are a necessary part of my process.

I continue building layer upon layer using mixed media including graphite, pencil, oil mediums such as paint, bars and pastels; then scrubbing and scraping back to reveal previous layers only to transform it once again with fresh colours and marks.  This ebb and flow can continue for just a few short days, weeks or months until the painting carries not only a representation of the inspiration but stands as an object in its own right. 

 

Oil and Mixed Media on Cradled Panel

50.8x50.8cm