My Background
Born and lived in London until I was 36. After various moves, I have now settled in Ivybridge, Devon. I have always had the desire to create art, although I dropped the subject from my studies at school, as I didn't like being told what to create and found the teachers uninspiring. I'm completely self-taught, have no set agenda on establishing a "style", I have an open mind to how my art develops, so that I don't set limits and explore all possibilities, especially what happens by accident.
I would regard myself as a deep thinker, in that I look for alternative ways of seeing the world and translate that into my art. I have been guilty of over-thinking at times in my personal life, which has at times left me with a fragile mindset. Art keeps me calm and shuts out the noise of daily life.
I'm married, with step-children and we have a lovely dog, called Martha. Apart from the visual arts, I have a great interest in Poetry (especially Dylan Thomas) and classical music. art of devon
My Mediums and approach.
I use many different mediums, such as acrylics, oils and watercolour. I believe that working in a single medium is restrictive to my artistic process. Each idea manifests in its own individual style. I do like to do finished drawings, using pencils, charcoal and pens, as they offer great freedom in exploring different forms of mark making and provide ideas on how to approach paintings.
I always start a drawing or painting by laying down loose abstract marks and tones, gradually building up the image until signature elements of the scene have been captured. Rather than mix the colours up in advance, I mix the colours on the canvas, allowing the accident to drive how the painting developed. I never set out to create a realistic representation of the landscape, more a flavour of the mood and weather conditions, with a keen interest in capturing the little diamonds of light that dance across the landscape. I always fight with the issue of how far to push my art into abstraction. landscape art
My Inspiration
It mainly comes from the landscape and how it changes with the different weather cycles . Living on the edge of Dartmoor, it provides me with plenty of source material.
I appreciate all art, and feel that there is plenty to be learned by the observation of other creative people. The core Artists I hold dear, are, Turner, Constable, Francis Bacon and John Virtue.
Poetry and classical music also inspires my creative thoughts and processes. Poetry offers so many different ways for looking at life, nature and the human spirit. Classical music, for me, opens up different emotions, akin to the different emotions I feel when I walk on Dartmoor; to smile, be in awe and surprise, and yes, to even cry. Cello music has a deep space in my soul...the pulse and rhythm gets right into my gut instincts of what it is to be human. landscape art