Artist Statement

I create contemporary oil paintings on linen canvas and illustrations on paper and products. I invent visual narratives relating to themes around nature, identity and history. I use carefully chosen pops of colour in my artwork from different time periods, contemporary mark making, mixed with patterns and prints which together add a sense of fun, whimsy, and a colourful eclectic style to my art. I feature vintage and historical imagery which adds to the feeling of nostalgia.

I feature all the seasons and natural elements in my work such as flowers, leaves, trees, seascapes, and landscapes from nature and birds, insects, butterflies, and wildlife. I sometimes add architectural elements such as gothic windows as a framing device, ruins or architecture to add interest, and a sense of history.

I have looked at many artists in museums, galleries and heritage sites, first hand internationally such as Alex Katz, David Hockney, Henri Matisse, Monet and Banksy to name a few. Visiting Charleston House Bloomsbury Group art and William Morris prints at his homes and the V&A was inspiring. I have also been inspired by fashion such as Alexander McQueen and the sublime that finds beauty in the ugly found in nature.

The sandy-coloured raw linen and any collage elements are fully protected with a clear primer which allows it to remain visible and a feature in this work. I am interested in fabric and materials so with the negative space, I show the thick linen canvas with all the texture as a feature. You can get a sense of the scale of my paintings with the exhibition images of my artwork on the Exhibitions Page.