I am inspired by the landscapes and the sea. I make studies on location using mixed media, then in the studio I use my drawings to inspire oil paintings working on arches oil paper and occasionally canvas.
Last September, 2023, I attended a week long course called Inspiration from Land and Sea run by Emily Ball in the Algarve. I focused on the land which was very parched and arid rather than the sea because I had recently finished a series based on the sea in Northumberland. I stayed on for another week to develop my studies into oil paintings during a residency with Emily and other artists. Whilst there I finished 2 collaged mixed media pieces called Torn Landscape I and II. I had 3 oil on paper pieces which were studies for 2 larger (56x76cm) oil paintings (on arches oil paper) called Algarve Heat I and II. I finished 2 of the 3 studies at home in my studio with dry pigment representing the earth.
During October 2023 I completed Emily Ball’s two week Paint Fit course, which I have done before. It’s a great way of working from my studies. I produced 4 large oil paintings on arches oil paper and 2 small paintings. All my work is float mounted behind glass with wooden frames. I proudly exhibited these 13 pieces in my @openupsheffield (open studio) weekends in May this year 2024. These are the pieces I am showing here in the Paint Fit 2024 exhibition. I am also exhibiting at The Old Chapel Gallery in Sheffield, 7-13 Oct 2024, in a solo show called Inspiration from Land and Sea: Finding Space from Northumberland Dunes and Cutting Through the Algarve Heat. During Paint Fit I realised my theme was Cutting Through, like the branches cutting through the intense blue Algarve sky. Although I was surprised I was inspired by the reddish parched Portuguese earth too.
