Renewal

I have recently started looking at the forest once again for inspiration.  I enjoyed creating the woodland series three years ago and felt that there was more i could explore.  This time around i became interested in the traces people leave behind - cut branches, litter, paint marks etc  I found areas where people had recently left their mark - no longer present but traces remain.  As well as the man made trails there was also the more natural causes of change - trees broken by wind and storms, creating unusual forms and textures.  The forest never stays the same.

Aside from this surface visual level of interest, the new work will also look at themes of stillness and presence - being in the moment without thought, absorbed in the surroundings.  The idea is that the paintings capture this feeling as well as documenting the changes of time on a visual level.

The first painting in this series, "Renewal" has just been completed and i am really pleased with how it worked out.  I feel it has captured the essence of what i want to convey.  This can be viewed in the Woodland section of my website.

Grounded

I’ve just completed a new painting entitled ‘Grounded’.  This is based on a derelict World War 2 airbase in Staffordshire and looks at themes of abandonment and solitude.  The painting has a softer and more subtle technique which I think helps to create the right mood - one of stillness, calm and introspection.  This is a retreat from the overactive mind and the busy routine of daily life.  With this view, everything becomes beautiful, interesting or both.

Exhibitions and New Work

I am currently a good way into a new painting based on an partly collapsed abandoned airbase that was used during World War 2.  The mood of the piece is very quiet and the painting technique is more subtle than before.  I'm trying to create a picture that has perfect balance and so far it looks like it is working.

I have also been taking more pictures of Cannock Chase.  I produced work on this area a few years ago and have started to become inspired by it once again.  I feel like I have progressed as a painter and could produce even stronger work on the theme now.  As always my aim would be to show nature as it is rather than to make it a decorative exercise.

My Whitesands paintings (1 and 2) can be seen at The Guildhall Gallery in the current exhibition featuring work from artists across Staffordshire.  My 'Aonach Mor' paintings are now on display at The Goat Street Gallery in St Davids (Pembrokeshire).  

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. 

Universal

I have just completed a new painting which i have called "Universal".  This piece depicts a factory in Stafford which most local people refer to as "the old universal" from the days when it was the Universal Grinding Company.  These days the factory is still running but as a different company. 

What struck me more than the history was the atmosphere of the space and how quiet it was (it was a Sunday when i visited the area).  For many people this road is just a means to get to town or to go to Doxey - in other words a place that people don't pay too much attention to.

The idea behind the work was to take a look at something that isn't normally considered nice to look and to find a beauty or wonder by taking a deeper look at the space.  By clearing the mind of preconceptions and just observing with a clear mind you can begin to appreciate life on a deeper level.  The textures of the walls, the dash of yellow against the tarmac, the weeds growing through the concrete, the rhythms of lamp posts....  This can be felt almost anywhere by anyone - it is universal.  So the title has more than one meaning.

Exhibitions and New Work

My Aonach Mor paintings are now on show in the latest exhibition at the new Guildhall Pop Up Art Gallery in Stafford.  The gallery show Staffordshire based artists and craftspeople and it's well worth a visit.

My recent "Signing Off" painting is currently part of the Autumn Exhibition at Reuben Colley Fine Art.  This is a mixed show featuring some of the artists represented by the gallery.  Again, very much worth a visit.

I am currently working on another urban landscape which is developing nicely. 

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.

Summer Exhibition and new paintings

The Summer Exhibition at Reuben Colley Fine Art starts on the 11th July and includes three of my paintings, "By the Tracks", "Arrival" and my most recent piece "Exit".  The exhibition also features work by several artists represented by the gallery.

My latest painting "Exit" features the car park of an abandoned job centre.  I am currently working on a follow up piece that shows the same building from another angle.  This once busy place is now left unattended and is beginning to shows signs of neglect.  Broken windows, graffiti and litter now catch the eye as you walk about.

I have entered two drawings and one painting into the Three Counties Open Art exhibition at the Burslem School of Art.  It would be nice to have something included. 

Arrival

I have now completed my new painting based on an urban area on the outskirts of Stafford town.  It depicts the side of a garage and the railway line behind it.  What attracted me to this space is the run down appearance of the area with the peeling paint, graffiti and cracked concrete.  It has a feeling that something has happened or is about to happen and at the same time is the sort of place that is often ignored or overlooked.  

The painting is called "Arrival" which refers to the theme of transport (the garage and railway line in the picture) but also the sense of becoming aware of the spirit of the area.  The scene in the image would not normally be something people would spend time with - it would be somewhere that was passed or used briefly, perhaps to park or drop off a vehicle.  Most of us spend much of our time thinking ahead of where we want to be rather than being aware of where we are and what we are doing,  So this painting looks at looking at something generally regarded as ugly in a new light and seeing that everything is fascinating given the right outlook. 

This work also connects to other work i have done that explored themes of abandonment and stillness.  I intend to work more in this area.

New work for 2017

It's been a while since i have written anything on this site but I have been really busy painting and teaching.

My art classes are going well and I have just put together an art exhibition for my students at The Ancient High House in Stafford.  The artists are a mix of beginners, more experienced and advanced and the pieces have been very well received by the public.  The exhibition is called "Through the Looking Glass" and it runs until the 8th April.  Entry is free but most of the work is for sale.

I am currently working on two paintings both featuring garages.  The first is a private commission and the other features a scene on the outskirts of Stafford.  This piece is an  atmospheric urban landscape depicting an area that most people would probably not notice.  The piece attempts to capture a sense of the place, something that words cannot describe.  

This theme has been part of my work for a while now whether it is buildings, landscapes or interiors.  In some ways it doesn't matter what the scene is; it is more about being present in the moment and feeling alive within the space.  A feeling that goes deeper than the day to day issues, a sense of life and death, an ever changing landscape.

You can never guess how a painting will go but this new piece is flowing really well and I'm painting with confidence and a sense of purpose.

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!

Christmas Exhibition

Some of my work will appear in this years Christmas exhibition at Reuben Colley Fine Art in Birmingham.  This will include my two recent paintings of Aonach Mor.  The exhibition also features work by other artists represented by the gallery and it will no doubt be a good show.  It runs from the 5th December to the 7th January.

Aonach Mor (no.2)

Today i completed a second painting based on my recent trip to Scotland, "Aonach Mor (no.2)".  For me this piece works on two levels.  Firstly it depicts the incredible scenery and atmosphere of the place but it is also another piece of work that looks at the sense of stillness and quietness that such a place inspires.  For a while now this theme has been running through most of my work and is a reflection of my own desire to reduce the mental chatter and overthinking that has become habitual to me.

I have many other ideas based on the scenery of Scotland and plan to produce more on the theme.   Aonach Mor (no.2) is a natural companion to the first painting but both work on their own merits.  An image of these pieces can be found in the Natural Landscapes section of this website.

Aonach Mor

I have just completed my new painting, "Aonach Mor", which depicts one of the mountains in Scotland near Ben Nevis.  The scene shows the view near the top which was very atmospheric and inspiring.  The intention is for this to be the first in a series of paintings of this nature.

David Bowie once said that when looking at the work of Frank Auerbach "I want to sound like that looks".  For me it has often been music that has inspired my paintings.  I would like my paintings to convey a similar feeling to the music of Stars of the Lid (who are in turn inspired by film)!

As with all my work the surface image is just the basic element of the painting.  Behind that is the intention of the work or what has brought it into existence.  In recent times, in an attempt to deal with stress or anxiety i have found being out in nature to be quite soothing no matter what the weather.  It enables me to switch off my compulsive thinking and just enjoy being in the moment.  When painting "Aonach Mor" those moments of clarity, space and stillness were relived and I feel that this is reflected in the work.

Mountains, pubs and more mountains

I am currently quite far through a new painting depicting Aonach Mor, a mountain in Scotland near Ben Nevis.  It's a large ambitious piece and a subject i have never attempted before in my art.  Having recently visited the Highlands i felt like i wanted to respond to the stunning views and the feelings it evoked when i traveled there.  Aside from the obvious beauty of the place I wanted to continue working on a theme that has been in my work for the last couple of years.

Before i even started on this new body of work i knew that i wanted to express a sense of space and stillness.  I wanted no figures, no distractions and to capture nature as i saw it.  The first painting is going well and I look forward to completing it.

My recent painting of The New Navigation pub has been on my mind of late and i may make a few adjustments before it is exhibited.  Most painters i know face the difficulty of knowing when a piece is finished and something has not felt right about the piece for a while.  Just a few little changes i think.

New Navigation

Today i finally finished my painting of an old derelict pub i found in Birmingham, "The New Navigation".  This pub is on Lewisham Road near the BCN Old Main Line Canal.  When i last saw it the place was abandoned and in poor state but it caught my eye as i wandered on the outskirts of the city.  I have painted abandoned buildings many times but this scene is well lit with a bright sky which contrasts with my usual subdued palette.  An image of "The New Navigation" can be found in the Abandoned Spaces section of this website.

I recently came back from Scotland after visiting the Highlands.  There i was inspired by the stunning landscape and loved travelling around the area.  The mountains were incredible and i shall be starting a series of paintings based on my research.

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.

Food, pubs and mountains

The Food exhibition began today at Reuben Colley Fine Art.  It is a group show and my "Waffle House" painting will feature there.  The work i have seen looks really striking and it should prove to be popular i would think.

My "New Navigation Inn" painting is making good progress.  There is still much to do but i can see it taking shape and am optimistic it will bea strong painting.  I feel increasing confidence with my technique and that much of what i do is flowing instinctively these days.

My trip to Scotland is getting close.  There i hope to find fresh inspiration for a new body of work which will most likely feature mountains.  For quite some time now i have known how i want my new work to feel but was not sure what it would look like.  The task now is to match subject matter with that feeling!

Waffle House

I have just completed my "Waffle House" painting for the "Food" exhibition at Reuben Colley Fine Art gallery in Birmingham.  With this piece i wanted to create a serious painting depicting a slightly humorous subject matter.  As i am usually known for depicting buildings i thought it might be interesting to create one with food, in this case potato waffles.  I am quite pleased with the overall result and enjoyed producing a piece with strong light and shadows.

I will now resume my painting of the New Navigation Inn which will lead nicely up to my trip to Scotland where i hope to fine a new source of inspiration.

"Waffle House" can be seen in the Still Life section of this website.