About My Work

My work is best categorised as "Landscape", although frequently it focuses upon very specific objects, such as rocks, or climbers, or pools. The subject-matter is usually treated in a strongly representational manner, but behind these realistic depictions is always a layer of metaphorical or symbolic significance. Things are not necessarily what they seem on first acquaintance.

If one thing unites the apparent diversity of my work it is the theme of time. Different aspects of our world exist or live according to quite different time-scales — geological, historical, tidal, as well as the transitory changes of light and weather. Human beings find our place somewhere along this continuum - between the sunlight and the stone.

Because I have been involved for a long time in the study of rock and climbing I have got into the habit of relying quite heavily for my reference material upon photography. (It is neither easy nor safe to try and draw while climbing or belaying a companion!) With photographs, however, I combine a variety of sketches and notes. The finished product is always created in the studio, for three reasons. I prefer to work standing at a studio easel, because my pictures are often quite large. I tend to work slowly — especially in the finishing stages of a picture. I like to establish the basics of a composition from reference material, and then set this aside, responding both to memory and the process of painting in itself.

My current work mainly uses pastels for two reasons. I love the immediacy of this medium, and its tactile quality. I simply enjoy becoming involved in making marks upon a variety of surfaces, and comparing the results. For me, art involves a kind of magic. It is about creating illusions of solid objects in space and the play of light upon surfaces—which in the end only exist on the plain surface of the picture. I love working the tricks of that magic.

It is hardly possible to work in pastels without taking seriously the legacy of the great exponents of this medium, from Edgar Degas to David Blackburn. Nevertheless, other figures not associated with pastels have also shaped profoundly my interests and approach to painting. I have a long-standing passion for the work of Stanley Spencer, and have been influenced heavily by his commitment to the exploration of spirituality through art. Lucian Freud has taught me a great deal about the importance of the close observation of surfaces and textures, and respect for and passion for one's medium. Andy Goldsworthy prefigures my own concerns with time, as well as giving me the confidence as a landscape painter to attend to the significance of intimate things.

Having had some of my work accepted for exhibitions by the Pastel Society, I am encouraged to pursue further my study of this medium, with the intention that I will eventually qualify to become a member of the Society.

I am happy to consider requests for commissions. Please do get in touch if you would like to consider this possibility.