A REMINDER TO BE PLAYFUL....

In the first few weeks of the new year, I’ve been doing some housekeeping, cleaning up files and photographing artwork. Having worked as a commercial artist and designer for many years, you pick up an number of techniques and styles, and when left to your own devices it can be complicated to choose a path. Artists are often defined by their “style” so jumping around, though beneficial to stretching your wings, isn’t the best policy when trying to collect an audience or following. I often paint florals, often in monotone with an emphasis on mark making and fine line work that emulates drawing rather than painting. This pink poppy piece, although painted a while ago, I think adds a playfulness to my work, particularly in the use of colour. I titled it Blancmange, after the pink wobbly party dessert from my childhood. it seemed the perfect marriage of poppies evoking memory, but also evoking joy.

Blancmange 18x24”

currently for sale on saatchi art; original or prints

https://www.saatchiart.com/en-ie/art/Painting-Blancmange/1630934/13519421/view

ROMANTIC SEASON....

there is something about Autumn/ Fall that really evokes romantic images. maybe it is the play of light, atmosphere and the shorter days. The recent first storm of October created some beautiful colour, with remaining foliage and greenery set against rich earth tones. I really feel rain and moisture are becoming a big part of my landscapes.

PRODUCT DREAMS......

As a product designer, working to company, client and customer requirements, you don’t often get a chance to make something that truly expresses your personal vision. I often paint everyday objects ( many of which I have designed over the years) but those I chose to paint have a more crafted aesthetic, relying on the beauty of simple utilitarian forms. The decoration I choose is also looser than the artwork from my commercial projects, often monotone and comprised of simple mark making.

SPRING IN TO SUMMER...

amazed by the amount of daisies and dandelions this spring, dotting the lawn.

BASICS...

continuing with the theme of still life, I’ve always loved the simplicity and form of basics, of everyday objects. Look back on this blog and you will see some earlier works of variation in shape and size of basics like condiments and everyday bowls. Here are two pared back still life works encompassing the loveliness of the everyday.

STILL LIFE...

my career has been about creating objects and form and the application of pattern. I’ve covered, apparel, homewares and even car interiors. Silhouette is an integral part of design and the process. As I paint fore, I like to explore these silhouettes as two dimensional forms, often as negative space.

INKY KINGDOMS.....

the inkiness feels just like january, stormy with rain and cold. the image of the kingdom through the dunes in the last painting is towards the future… or is it the past?

THE FIRST FLOWER OF 2025......

It’s been freezing here, with the coutry crippled by low temperatures and ice. I’ve been spending the time planning spring gardens and thinking about wildflower lawns.

LAST OF THE YEAR...

its with all good intentions that, back in august when our new home had more than two chairs and a bed ( our container of earthly possessions arrived!) that I was going to post weekly. alas that did not happen. change has been good and challenging aat the same time. the most consistent thing has been the weather, the damp, the fog. visually its suited me well and some of my paintings last year almost seem like a premonition. I’ve always loved the fog and what it does to the scenery, making the familiar obscured and strange. so here’s the last post of ‘24 and big hopes that the resolution of a weekly post becomes reality.

THINGS TO COME...

Lots of changes are on the horizon, there will be much more content here, on my instagram account and also prints and original artwork available at saatchiart.com stay tuned for more updates.

BY RAIL...

most of my scenics come from memory, and in particular are about momentary glimpses of fields and farmland. Often featuring low morning mist and hedgerows, they depict a solitude of the Welsh and English countryside seen fleetingly through a train window. The color palette somewhat conveys the seasonality. The scenes themselves hold a promise of the land or sea beyond the window view.

HAITUS.....

painting doesn’t happen on command, and although to exercise those muscles daily is best, sometimes.. it just doesn’t come. I’ve ended what seemed like a long pause ( I hope) It involved a lot of pondering and frankly, over thinking. Enough said. returning to favorite themes of fog filled fields.

LOST ART.......

mark making; the foundation of any process and calligraphy or script handwriting has a unique beauty and rhythm that fits into this world. I’ve started incorporating cursive lines into some pieces lately and to explore some different mediums and combinations.

ACCIDENTAL.....

seredipity is always at play and today was no exception. I had reprimed and repurposed an old canvas, quite large 30” square. the piece was pot aside, i just turned around to see surface bubbling and drizzle. It definitely enhanced the piece and made me think of how I can do this in more of an anticipated way… but does that spoil the beauty?

PAINT SKETCHES........

new, over at saatchiart.com this week, some smaller pieces are up for sale. these are paint sketches, studies and experiments in form, materials and mark making. I’ll be adding to them occasionally, often they work as pairs or close friends.

AN INKY PAST..........

I started a number of pieces recently that are evocative of old script and handwriting. it’s not something that’s new in my work, but as usual, it takes time for me to layer ideas together.. and these compositions are starting to be appealing. This piece entitled “Scribe” has a strange energy between romantic script and expressive mark making. It evokes romanticism along with youth and rebellion somehow. The piece is for sale at www.saatchiart.com or for purchase as a print ( also on saatchi)

ANOTHER LONG JANUARY......

the end of the month is here and as usual january seemed twice as long as any other month. there have been two highlights on consecutive weekends, museum shows of Matisse and Modigliani. both artists’ retrospectives show: that it’s good to experiment and that it’s inevitable that your peers will influence you. but ultimately you find your personal voice through the journey. I came home and picked up a bunch of brushes I rarely use and started painting/ traveling and taking that journey.

TECHNIQUE.......

it’s always a good time to explore and develop mew techniques. I see so many fellow artists and designers experimenting with everything from Ai to Z as it were. my aim as I continue painting is to be more free less constrained…today was a beginning…