Artist Statement

My painting has a joyful use of colour that predominantly defines my compositions, in which, on further studying, a deeper narrative can be found. I prefer the media of oil on canvas or ink and gouache on paper. To convey emotion I emphasise the facial expression of the figures. The studies for the oil paintings are worked in small sketches, often initially starting with colour rather than form. These sketches are usually collected in small series which I then compile into artbooks and I draw upon themes from belief systems in ancient cultures. My interest in spiritual and religious imagery has inspired me to use archetypes and metaphors. The narratives in my work come from myths, legends, folk-tales and personal experiences.

Figures, animals and birds nearly always appear in my work. The figures are frequently traveling on a pathway or river and the symbols in my stories include triads, such as skies, earth and the underworld or dawn, dusk and night. Through the act of creativity, I enter a process which delivers something that usually surprises me and is also something that I only have by entering this activity.