I’ve just completed a new acrylic painting based on an area of Cannock Chase Forest. It’s called ‘Distant Light’ and can be viewed in the ‘Woodland’ section of this website. I had decided to take a break from forest scenery for a while but when I saw this view I just had to respond. I have another drawing ready to go based on a burnt out building I discovered in Scotland during the summer.
In other news, I have decided to leave X (Twitter) as I felt that the platform was becoming increasingly negative and my posts were largely ignored. A few of my artist friends are trying Blue Sky and so I have just started an account there. If you use it, look me up!
More exhibitions
I currently have two acrylic paintings in the new Birmingham Art Circle exhibition at the RBSA Gallery in Birmingham; ‘Signing Off’ and ‘Exit’. These two pieces depict the abandoned job centre on Stafford. Since I first painted them, the building has become even more run down due to neglect and vandalism. The show features a wide variety of work from members of the group and is well worth a visit. It runs until the 26th October.
My acrylic painting, ‘Outside In’ is currently on display in the Open Exhibition at Brampton Museum and Art Gallery in Newcastle under Lyme. It features the interior of a derelict ceramics factory in Stoke on Trent. The show runs until the 22nd December.
Three Counties Open Exhibition
I’m pleased to announce that my acrylic painting, ‘Flux’ has been selected for the forthcoming Three Counties Open Exhibition at The Burslem School of Art. The show has been organised by Keele University and features artists from across Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire.
I’m currently working on a commission and then plan to return to an urban landscape that I’ve currently got on hold. Busy as always!
Vacation
I have just completed a new acrylic painting which I’ve called ‘Vacation’. It features a derelict ceramics factory in Middleport as seen from across the canal. The abandoned caravan caught my attention and made it appear as if someone had chosen to have a holiday amongst an overgrown and neglected part of Stoke-on-Trent. There was something absurd but also sad about the scene. It is the same building that appears in my ‘Inside Out’ and ‘Outside In’ paintings. This piece will feature in my next solo show next year. You can view it in the ‘Abandoned Spaces’ section of my website.
Outside In
I’ve just completed a new acrylic painting based on the abandoned ceramics factory I discovered in Middleport. It is the same building featured in the ‘Inside Out’ painting which is currently on display at the RWA Gallery in Bristol. As usual, I was fascinated by the way nature takes over the spaces we leave behind and also how the light gently breaks through, bathing the leaves with an ethereal glow. This painting will feature in a new solo exhibition next year at Stoke on Trent (details to follow). You can view my new painting in the ‘Abandoned Spaces’ section of my website.
Open Exhibitions
This week I found out that I have work selected for two open exhibitions.
My oil painting, ‘Hidden’, has been selected for the RBSA Prize Exhibition at the RBSA Gallery in Birmingham. This runs from the 15th September to the 15th October. My acrylic painting, ‘Inside Out’, has been selected for the Royal West of England Academy 169th Annual Open Exhibition at the RWA Gallery in Bristol. This runs from the 8th October until the 8th January.
These are both great shows and I’m really pleased to be included. Just need to get them both framed now!
Bullclough
For just over a year now I have been running the odd workshop at Bullclough Art School in the Peak District. When I’m there, we use the surrounding landscape as artistic inspiration and work from life. I decided to paint my own version and photograph the piece as I went along in order to help the students see how you can build up a painting. Having been there many times now, I feel that I have managed to captured the atmosphere of the place. You can see the picture in the natural landscapes section of this website.
Visit the website of Bullclough Art School to read more about what they do. I will be running more workshops there in the new year.
Seleucia
I’ve just completed a new commission featuring the Ancient Greek city of Seleucia. This is a large painting and has taken a long time to complete but I’m really pleased with how it turned out. I used acrylic paint on a wood panel and built it up gradually with multiple layers of colour. Sometimes with commissions I tackle subjects that I wouldn’t normally consider but this one is the sort of thing I would normally go for - nature taking over a derelict building!
You can see ‘Seleucia’ and other commissioned work in the Commissions section of my website.
Next I will be working on a smaller painting based on the scenery at Bullclough Art School in the Peak District. I have run several workshops there and will use this piece as a way of demonstrating painting technique.
Inside Out
I have just completed a new acrylic painting based on the derelict Price and Kensington Factory in Middleport. This building was discovered during a day of urban exploration with artist Jemma Gunning. We were intrigued by the structure which lay abandoned and was slowly becoming taken over by nature. I took several reference photographs but it was the view of the battered old sofa that caught my eye. There was something quite peculiar about seeing an indoor item of furniture placed in front of the factory and I wondered how it arrived here. The crumbling walls and exposed interior offered so much to explore with paint and I enjoyed building up the textures.
Art Classes back for Autumn 2020
My regular art classes will return in September. The Burntwood classes will be moving to Hammerwich Community Hall for the time being and the Penkridge class will temporarily move to Haughton Village Hall. The other classes will be at Haughton Village Hall as normal. The venues are following current government guidelines around hygiene and social distancing.
Details for the courses can be found on the art classes page of this website.
During lockdown I have been teaching an online art class. Students are given access to art exercises via this website and then receive detailed feedback during each stage of the picture. The exercises cover different abilities and mediums and feedback is given via WhatsApp, email or video calls. I will continue to offer the online art class for the autumn term. Contact me for details.
Three Counties Open Exhibition 2020
I’m pleased to announce that my painting, ‘Union’ has been selected for the Three Counties Open Exhibition 2020. This year, due to the pandemic, the show will be held online running from 31st July to the 31st August. This piece won the RBSA Open Exhibition earlier this year and remains one of my personal favourite pieces of work so far.
I am currently building up a set of work based around the same theme, some of which features in the ‘Fragments II’ online exhibition.
Park Hall
I have just completed another commission for a private collector which is based on Park Hall, a derelict building in Shetland. This building was once occupied by a doctor but has been abandoned now for quite some time. The eerie atmosphere is emphasised by the absence of human life and it reminded me of some of Edward Hoppers paintings.
If you are interested in requesting a commission let me know.
Commissions and New Projects
I have just completed a new commission entitled ‘Plashes Farm’ for a private collector. This piece has taken a few months on and off and is a little different to some of the things I have painted more recently. I enjoyed working on a larger scale and the contrast between the brickwork and natural areas was interesting. The buyer mentioned how quiet it was at the farm and so I wanted to capture that in the picture.
I have other creative projects on the go including another commission, work to create for a welsh gallery and my ongoing project featuring war remnants.
An image of ‘Plashes Farm’ can be found on this website. If you are interested in discussing a commission get in touch via the contact form.
Fragments II
I have just completed a new painting, ‘Fragments II’, which is based on the same collapsed structure featured in my recent drawing. The work ties in with the other themes that i have been exploring but adds a new environment that is rarely featured in my work - the beach. As with the recent tree paintings natural elements mix with human made - debris and litter with rocks, grass and sand. Text features again with the graffiti adding a record of visits made to the site.
The structure appears to be the remains of a World War 2 pill box but could perhaps be something else. As with my other work the mystery of the space along with the evidence of passing time appeals to me.
Fragments II can be seen in the Abandoned Spaces section of this website.
Clearcut
I have just completed another woodland painting which I have called 'Clearcut'. This is part of series of work that looks at the interaction between people and nature. Changes in the urban environment are usually quite apparent but in nature change is not so apparent. Yet in my recent woodland series you can see a direct and dramatic change to the landscape made by people. Upon finding these changes it is noticeable how quiet the forest has become once again with only traces of the interaction left behind. 'Clearcut' can be found in the woodland section this painting.
Last Thursday I enjoyed looking at the current New English Art Club annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London. I was pleased to have my painting, 'The Shack' included this year which is a piece that has proved popular with quite a few people.
Happy New Year!
I hope you have had a wonderful Christmas and were able to enjoy a break from work. I am looking forward to getting stuck into some new art projects this year starting with a recent commission.
My art classes start again this month. You can find a full listing on my Art Classes page
I teach people of all abilities from the complete beginner to the more advanced. You have the choice of following set exercises or working on your own project which i will assist you with. What makes my classes different to most is that I really try to cater for the individual and work hard to boost your confidence and ability. My classes are also relaxed and fun!
Do contact me if you have any queries.
I look forward to meeting you this year!