top of page
'Mesmerising Space'
oil paining on Indian Khadi paper
51cm x 51cm. 2023
private collection
Sea watching is a little obsessive. The light in the distance of the Atlantic in this painting is so beautifully enticing. Yet the agitated activity of the sea swirling around the coastal rocks in the foreground, suggests the danger of the ripped water movements slamming against the rocks forms deep below the surface.
'Dune'
oil painting on Indian Khadi paper
17cm x 17cm. 2023
'Reflections'
oil painting on Indian Khadi paper
17cm x 17cm 2023
'Winters Drift'
oil painting on Indian Khadi paper
16cm x 16cm 2023
'Spindrift'
oil painting on Indian Khadi paper
17cm x 17cm. 2023
'Cliff Sea Arch'
oil painting on Indian Khadi
paper
17cm x 17cm. 2023
private collection
'Coastline'
oil painting on Indian Khadi paper
17cm x 17cm. 2023
'Valos Ridge'
charcoal and graphite on Arches hot press paper
114cm x 114cm 2023
Valtos Ridge, or Cliff Ridge just sits on the hill just above Cliff Studio. This composition modestly fills me with the tremendous awe inspiring power that the Outer Hebrides hold. The clear height which then drops away to the valley bottom, holding the rainfall in 'Doctors Loch' which then moves yo through the space of Maivaig and the hills beyond, is a truly mesmerising space that makes my existence feel so insignificant. The layers and knuckles of rock sculpt the hills form, supporting all the moss, grasses, heathers and many other forms of vegetation. These boulders are so strong, yet their surface textures and patterns quietly narrate the force of weather that they have endured over millions of years, and will continue to do so hopefully...for many millions more.
'Valtos Ridge'
oil painting on Indian Khadi paper
17cm x 17cm 2023
'Winters Tones'
oil painting on Indian Khadi paper
17cm x 17cm 2023
'Mesmerising Space' study
oil painting on Indian Khadi paper
17cm x 17cm 2023
Ceramics
Since studying Fine Art at Bristol I have had an interest in ceramics, as the ceramics department was next to the sculpture studios. For a few years I attended night classes in ceramics, more for an insight into the working processes, which are varied and complex, rather than ever imagining that I would ever have the time to forge a little path in making my own pots.
In 2021 I discovered that I had a rapid growing cataract on my left eye. I reached the point where I couldn't see well enough to paint or draw,. My hands were twitching and my mind was frustrated, so I ordered some clay and started playing. I enjoy how expressive and dextrous clay is. When I am painting or drawing I am working on a 2dimensional surface, but still considering the 3 dimensional forms and surfaces. Hand building these 'Coastal vessels' has enabled me to express a tactile form of observation.
These 3 vessels from 2022 have all sold, but there are some very new pieces for this year.
'Donald Johns Byre'
charcoal & graphite on Arches hot press
90cm x 90cm 2022
This old Byre is just over the hill from us in Valtos, as you head for the pier.It is such a wonderful collection of useful objects of life, memories of time. We store things away certain that one day it will be very useful again.
bottom of page