Welcome to my Website

I appreciate you taking time to look at my website and hope that you find both my paintings and the information provided, enjoyable and rewarding.
My main subjects are listed below and examples can be seen on the Gallery page and also on the Artist page. I use a variety of media and they listed below on the right hand side.

Featured Subjects

1.    Landscapes

RIBBLE AND MERSEY ESTUARIES

The flat topography between the Ribble and Mersey Estuaries, where I live in Southport, provide a moody and contemplative vista. Long stretches of estuary sands melding into a distant sky make a challenging subject. The reflection and absorption of light by the wet and dry sand respectively, creates patterns and refracts colours underlining an area in constant flux.
Behind the coastal belt the flat wind shaped moss which is criss-crossed by streams and ditches and dotted with lonely farm houses also provides great subjects.

SOUTHPORT AND LIVERPOOL

To me, townscapes are just an extension of landscapes. I also find the impact of light very important in townscapes. For instance, in Southport, a low winter sun drenching Lord Street in a yellow, afternoon light can create an exciting subject. Here you find glass reflecting the bright light and pedestrians creating long daggers of shadow.
Light effects on the iconoclastic forms of the Liverpool catherderals create a great backdrop to the street scenes of the city. Liverpool's hustle and bustle allows me to include figures which is another principle interest of mine.

CANALS AND NARROWBOATS

The Leeds to Liverpool canal which wends its way across the Lancashire plain, behind Southport, where I live, allows me to bring together elements which I find interesting, such as water, people,landscape and boats. The shapes of the moored narrowboats with their bright colours make a natural focal point amongst the more muted colours of the landscape.
As well as barges, the many ships on the River Mersey also provide great subjects particularly when you can place them alongside the Liverpool or Birkenhead waterfronts.

LAKE DISTRICT, FRANCE AND ITALY

When the flatness of the Mersey and Ribble Estuaries become too much I have the luxury of the Lake District being only a couple of hours away. If I go there I always take my painting or sketching materials and try to capture the tumbledown farms amid the glowering hills and glistening lakes.
Likewise, trips to France and Italy also give me a chance to paint very different landscapes. I particularly like the buildings in these countries with the conditions there affecting the way I paint.

2.    Figurative Painting

LIFE DRAWING

I find painting and drawing the human figure gives me invaluable practice for all my work.It also allows me to experiment with different media

PORTRAITS

As well as life drawing I also like to draw and paint portraits. Acrylic and pastel allow me a style where I can impart a great deal of energy into my subjects. Losing control of a painting can be exhilerating, particularly if you can recover. I find oils is great for more traditional approaches.

3.    Floral Painting

In the last few years I have been exploring floral painting. As with portraits ~I have found a particular medium, watercolour, suits the subject well. The happenstance of the medium brings interesting, even abstract results. I have found it a very good subject to experiment with the properties of watercolour.

4.    Abstraction

Again, in the last few years I have been exploring abstraction. A starting point can be the seeming infinite expanses of sand found on the Mersey and Ribble Estuaries. I have also used abstraction to explore the medium of oils. Playing with paint can give interesting results which encasulate natural forms and provide inspiration.

5.    Sculpture and Ceramics

I have recently developed interests in ceramics and wood carving. Both the human form and its condition provide inspiration. As I do not possess a kiln, ceramics has given way to wood carving of late. I have also found that it is easier to create the larger forms I am interested in, in wood. Wood, with its solidity, has an advantage over damp clay which can collapse before I can get it in the kiln. However, knots and splits in the wood can be equally problematic.

      

ON-LINE-STORE is now available, please          for any additional information