Paintings
I work on canvas, mainly, with acrylics and various other materials which I embed within the painting to create texture and form. This allows a play of light and shadow on the surface.
These richly textured, atmospheric paintings are semi abstract and expressionistic. I do not attempt to mimic nature but rather describe the qualities of a subjective experience.
Ceramics
Hand-building and manipulating clay into objects inspired by nature’s forms and structures is an extension of my textured, atmospheric paintings. Investigating the subtleties and effects of glazes and mark making with slips and under glazes is a fascinating exploration for me.
Ceramics is an exciting and natural progression of my work which is teaching me a valuable life lesson in patience and learning to value the unexpected.
I have learnt that this appreciation of the beauty of imperfect harmony is known in Japan as Wabi Sabi : a state of consciousness. It’s about just ‘being’. Enjoying the moment and life’s simple pleasures and bringing more of these into our lives.
Wabi Sabi invites us to set aside our pursuit of perfection and learn to appreciate the simple, unaffected beauty of things as they are…enjoying the beauty of a delicate rose which will only be in bloom for the next few days….reading favourite passages in a worn yellowed book aged by the sun… taking pleasure in the strandlines left by the outgoing tide and the delicate morning dew drops left on a garden leaf…it’s the effect of time and weathering on an object or the result of something that has happened by chance.
I hope these hand-built objects bring simple pleasure to those who choose to own them and may they serve as a reminder to be true to ourselves and happy with whom we are; trusting our intuition and making time for and enjoying what is most important to us in life.
