Artist Statement​

 

The starting points for my drawings, paintings and prints has often been a familiar place or observation at a particular moment in time or point-of-view. While inspired by fleeting changes in light and atmosphere, I have often chosen subjects for their emotional charge or evocative impact. 

 

The Norfolk landscape is heavily cultivated and increasingly shaped by human forces and changing climate. Environmental impacts are continually altering and sometimes threatening both the landscape itself and the wildlife that depends upon it. 

 

I am particularly drawn to subjects that record the impact of human activity and presence; subjects in which industry or incident have left visible traces or some physical remains. Occasionally, during my walks and wanderings, I stumble upon images and unique forms of nature with anthropomorphic evocations that increase the impact, the sense of mystery and fascination. While some forms are chosen for their suggestive or associative qualities, at other times, the compositional properties, abstract patterns and textures tend to dominate the work and take centre stage.

 

My paintings and prints are heavily influenced by the observed world, and seek to enrich a 'sense of place' that seems to impress itself on the senses between subject and seen. More recently, this has developed into a preoccupation with nature; especially water and wood as well as found forms and corners of the landscape that seem to evoke an atmosphere or emotion. At times the subjects suggest an aspect of the human condition, as if a stage has been set, and may hint at a sense of loss, loneliness or attachment.

 

While it is difficult to define exactly what fascinates me as I choose one image or another to focus upon and develop, I am increasingly drawn to fleeting moments and more intimate spaces, qualities of atmosphere and light that I stumble upon in the environment; one which is forever shifting, changing, fragile or threatened.