Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

2021 was a busy year as usual. My time was split between working in my studio, exhibiting my art and teaching.

I produced quite a few drawings last year working mostly in either pencils or ink pen and also developed my painting technique. I have started working in oils again which I think has had some impact on my acrylics because my brushwork has slightly changed. My aim is to get better each time and to push myself as an artist. I’m never short of ideas and have plenty of ideas to work through!

I worked on a couple of commissions which I enjoyed and the clients were happy.

Late on in 2021 I became an Associate Member of the Society of Graphic Fine Art (SGFA) who are based in London. This is a good opportunity to work with other artists who enjoy drawing and to exhibit with them. I have also continued to be a member of the Birmingham Art Circle who are supportive and very approachable.

My art classes continue to be popular and I have helped a lot of students develop their work and become more confident. I have run my own workshops as well as some at Bullclough Art School. I also delivered workshops at schools and helped the pupils develop their projects.

My diary for 2022 is starting to fill up and I have plenty of plans for the year. Keep checking my website and social media channels for my updates. Let’s have an inspiring year!

Happy New Year

Nobody needs reminding how difficult 2020 has been. We’ve all found it challenging and have coped in different ways. For me, I have largely shut off the news, spent more time in nature and focused on my art.

Despite all the disruption I have had several very positive moments throughout the year. I won first prize in the RBSA Open Art Competition, had work included in the Broadway Open, the Three Counties Open and the RBSA Prize exhibition. I held an online exhibition with Jemma Gunning and went urban exploring with her to find new subject matter for a third show.

In the Autumn I started working with Bullclough Art School, delivering ink pen and painting workshops. All being well, I will be running several more workshops there next year.

My drawing mostly focused on ink pens this year and I have produced some of my favourite work in this medium. Near the end of the year I started working in oil paints again for the first time in over twenty years and found it enjoyable.

My art classes will resume at the venues as soon as we are able to return. In the meantime I will be teaching online at the start of the year. New students are welcome to join.

Life is never completely bad or good - there’s always a mixture of the two. Challenges will come to us all and we just need to make the most of what we have. I feel next year we will see a gradual transition into a more ‘normal year’ as the vaccines roll out across the UK and I will continue to make more art. I am never bored!

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.

The Shack

Happy New Year!

I have just completed a new painting called 'The Shack' which depicts an old but still active car wash on the edge of Stafford town.  This is part of a series of work that looks at overlooked places on the edge of towns and cities.  It is also another piece of work that looks at themes of stillness and solitude.  The subject matter in my work is always less important to me than the what lies beyond the surface.  There is always something else there that is hard to put onto words but can be felt.  It is this feeling that I try to capture in the paintings - finding something beautiful or fascinating in everyday things, even subjects that are normally seen to be unpleasant or ugly.  An image of this painting can be seen in the urban landscape section of this website.

My art classes have been going well so far and I'm starting a new one at Burntwood Library from next week.  I teach people of all abilities from beginner to advanced and can cover a range of drawing and painting techniques.  A full list of classes can be found in the teaching section of this website.  New students welcome any time - contact me for details.

Christmas Exhibition

My recent urban landscapes are currently on show at the Christmas Exhibition at Reuben Colley Fine Art.  This includes my 'Universal' painting on display for the first time.

I am currently working on a new piece which is already looking very strong and could possibly be one of my best.  This is based on a slightly run down looking  car wash in Stafford but it is also a continuation of my my interest in stillness, empty spaces and abandonment.

Next year I am starting another art class at Burntwood Library.  Full listing of my art classes can be seen on this website.  All abilities are welcome and new members can join any time.  I am also booking more workshops which are also listed on this website. 

New Painting and New Classes

Last night i finished a new painting which depicts the abandoned job centre in Stafford.  It is called 'Signing Off' and is a companion piece to the previous painting 'Exit'.  The theme is abandonment again but it also looks at how something ugly can also become beautiful or at least interesting when seen in a different light.  There are many things people walk past every day without noticing them and it's places like this that interest me the most.  An image of this painting can be seen on this website.

My art classes are set to resume soon and new students are very welcome to join in.  These courses are no longer run by Stafford College but people can enrol by contacting me directly.  A full list of courses can be seen on this website in the art classes section.

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!

Coast

To coincide with the summer time the Shire Hall Gallery in Stafford are holding an exhibition entitled "Coast" which features work by various artists who have responded to the theme.  My Whitesands paintings are included and are nicely situated on the first wall as you walk into the space.  The exhibition runs until early September.

I am currently finishing off my painting of the New Navigation Inn and will soon be taking a trip to Scotland where i will find fresh inspiration for a new body of work.  The plan at the moment is to respond to the mountains.

My art classes with Stafford College are taking a break at the moment and will resume mid September.  The art class at Gainsborough Artworks will relocate to Haughton Village Hall as of the 7th September.  Details for all classes can be found in the teaching area of the website.