The Path Home

I’ve just completed a small new oil painting based on an area of Cannock Chase. Although I’ve used this forest many times as inspiration, the difference this time was that I wanted to create something that focuses on a peaceful atmosphere. For me, the forest is a place of great wonder but also somewhere I go to unwind and get away from the stresses of life. The media is generally quite negative and paints a bleak and hopeless view of the world. Although life has challenges, there is beauty and acts of kindness but you rarely hear or read about it. As a student I was given the impression that serious works of art should be political or deal with social issues but I’ve recently felt like making work that is calm and still. The new painting is called ‘The Path Home’ and can be found in the ‘Small Works’ section of this website.

Lull

Following my recent ‘Abandoned Spaces’ exhibition, I started to have ideas for a new body of work. I’ve been experimenting with inks in sketchbooks and trying slightly new ways of working. When using ink I normally favour the fine line pens but have recently been working with quink and white ink. After a few loose pieces, I came up with a more layered and detailed piece which I’ve called ‘Lull'.

The title of the new work relates to my interest in producing work that is peaceful and still. It is a reaction against the news which almost entirely focuses on what is wrong with the world. I didn’t feel that I wanted to add to that and so have set about planning work that is quiet, slow and serene. By having moments of serenity we are able to recharge our energy and are then better equip to cope with life. At the same time, by slowing down occasionally, we are able to find the moments of beauty that are all around us. The world is not perfect but by missing this beauty, we are left with a distorted view of life.

You can view ‘Lull’ in the woodland section of the website.

Abandoned Spaces

Thank you to to everyone that attended the private view for my ‘Abandoned Spaces’ exhibition at ACAVA Spode Works Studios, Stoke on Trent. It was great to see all the pictures on the walls as a collection and see how the different pieces worked together. I am hoping that through the drawings and paintings, people will be able to appreciate and understand what I find so inspiring in places such as these. From a conventional point of view, derelict buildings are not beautiful but when you stop and look more closely, these places do have something to say. The rich variety of textures and the way nature takes over the space is fascinating and inspiring. There is also a sense of stillness which can be very calming.

I will be at the exhibition space on Friday 3rd March working on a new drawing. Do pop down and say hello and I will show you around the work.

New Painting

I’ve just completed a new acrylic painting which I’ve called ‘Flux’. It is based on the interior of a derelict ceramics factory in Stoke-on-Trent which I visited last year. I was fascinated by how the building was slowly falling apart and the way nature was starting to return to parts of the building. The colours, textures and shapes all looked fascinating to me. Although there was no electricity, the roof windows bathed the rooms in warm light.

‘Flux’ will appear in my ‘Abandoned Spaces’ exhibition which starts on the 24th February at Spode Works in Stoke-on-Trent. You can see an image of it in the ‘Abandoned Spaces’ section of my website.

Landscape Artist of the Year

Last year I applied for and was accepted as a contestant on Landscape Artist of the Year. The episode was broadcast on the 1st February on the Sky Arts Channel. I was tasked with drawing or painting Blackpool Pleasure Beach as seen from the promenade. It is luck of the draw with this sort of thing and I found the view challenging with nothing particularly grabbing my interest, aside from the rusty old railings in front of me.

Although I am normally a slow worker, I had practised creating a picture within a four hour time slot with some success. But I hadn’t accounted for the various interruptions over the day which are all part of the programme. As well as the interviews in the pod, I was also asked questions by the film crew and occasionally had to vacate my pod to allow the cameras to view my work close up.

The weather added another challenge; at one point rain was blowing into the pod and later on I became sunburnt. With only an hour to go I realised that I had not got as much done as I had hoped and so decided to focus on the lower half of the picture featuring the railing. I felt that it was best to at least get some of the scene resolved to give the judges an idea of where I was heading

I didn’t win the round but I enjoyed the experience despite the weather, the view and lack of time. The other contestants were nice and supportive and the film crew made sure we had everything we needed throughout the day. I might apply again at some point.

A selection of my work is currently up for sale on the Sky Arts website and you can see them by following this link.

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.

Brampton Museum and Art Gallery Open

I’m pleased to announce that two of my ink drawings have been selected for The Brampton Museum and Art Gallery Open Exhibition 2022. The two pieces chosen are ‘Guard House’ and ‘Whiskey 13’, both featuring buildings at the RAF Upper Heyford Airbase site.

I’ve been using ink pen quite a lot over the last few years and was pleased with how these pieces worked out. The exhibition runs from the 24th September until the 30th October and is free to visit.

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!

Exhibition Award, New Work and Forthcoming Shows

I am pleased to announce that I have been awarded the ACAVA Studios Artist Development Prize at the Three Counties Open Exhibition for my painting ‘GEC’. I will be having a meeting soon to find out more about this creative opportunity. The exhibition is held at The Burslem School of Art and has been organised by Keele University. You can view the exhibition online on the Barewall Gallery website.

I have just completed a new graphitint drawing featuring a derelict ceramics factory in Middleport. This is the same building that features in my painting ‘Inside Out’. It was good to tackle the subject with a different medium as it brings out different qualities due to the nature of the water soluble pencils. The new drawing is called ‘Return’ and can be found in the ‘Abandoned Spaces’ section of my website. This drawing, along with ‘The Mirror Tree’ piece, will feature in the forthcoming Birmingham Art Circle Exhibition at the RBSA Gallery in Birmingham.

I have plenty of other ideas on the go including a new acrylic painting which is almost halfway through now. Life is never boring!

New art, competitions and ideas

As usual, I am busy with a variety of creative projects. I have a new acrylic painting on the go featuring the interior of a derelict ceramics factory that I discovered in Middleport. This is the same building featured in my painting ‘Inside Out’. I’m still experimenting with the graphitint pencils and have a new drawing planned with those. I have more ideas around the abandoned war base theme which look promising too.

There’s a few competitions I will be entering soon. I discovered today that my oil painting, ‘GEC’, has been selected for the Three Counties Open Exhibition 2022 (organised by Arts Keele). The show runs from the 29th July to the 30th August at the Burslem School of Art in Stoke-on-trent. This painting features an abandoned factory in Stafford which has since been demolished. It was a building I was used to seeing throughout my childhood and so it is strange to see it gone.

The Memory Tree

I have just completed a new graphitint drawing based on an area of Cannock Chase. I’ve only used this medium a few times before for quick sketches but this time I’ve produced someone more layered and detailed. I discovered this tree on a walk with the family a while back and was struck by how unusual it looked and the small faded photo frame that had been nailed to the side. Who was this person? Who put it there? I like scenes that have a bit of mystery to them! You can view the drawing in the Woodland section of this website. It is called ‘The Memory Tree’.

New work and Exhibitions

I’ve just completed a new drawing called ‘Milvale Street’. which is based on some derelict buildings I discovered whilst urban exploring in Middleport. For this one I used a new set of graphitint pencils which I have never tried before. I like the muted colours and the way I can build up textures and washes quite quickly. It’s a medium I think I will used again.

I also have an ink drawing and acrylic painting planned which will feature buildings from the same area. There are a few factories near the canal which have become abandoned but you can see traces of the past when the ceramics industry was thriving.

I have two ink drawings selected for the forthcoming Society of Graphic Fine Art Annual Exhibition which runs from the 17th to the 21st May at the Mall Galleries in London. My pieces include ‘The Igloo’ and ‘Whiskey 13’ which are both based on buildings from RAF Upper Heyford in Oxfordshire.

Hidden

I’ve just completed a new oil painting which I’ve called ‘Hidden’. This one is inspired by a walk on Cannock Chase near the end of last year. I found an area that was supposed to be out of bounds but couldn’t resist ducking under the gap in the fence to see what lay beyond. I came to an area with a steep drop and below I could see the land stretching out draped in a mist. It was an inspiring view and I wanted to respond to it.

i’ve been enjoying working in oil paint again and can see myself working with it as much as acrylics. I have a couple of new projects planned now which will see me returning to the dereliction theme. But even this theme is all about nature - you can’t get away from it!

You can view ‘Hidden’ in the Natural Landscapes’ section of my website.

SGFA Open 2022

I’m pleased to announce that I have had two drawings selected for the forthcoming Society of Graphic Fine Art Open Exhibition 2022; ‘The Igloo’ and ‘Whiskey 13’. Both pieces depict buildings from RAF Upper Heyford, a disused airbase in Oxfordshire. The show will be held at the Mall Galleries in London from the 17th to the 21st May.

Exhibitions and Workshops

It has been a busy year so far with lots of things on the go. I currently have a few pieces of work included in the new Birmingham Art Circle exhibition which is being held at The Granary Gallery, Weston Park. It’s quite a diverse show and includes drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, textiles and mixed media pieces. The exhibition runs throughout March.

I have a few workshops scheduled and more planned, so do keep checking my workshops page if you’re interested.

I’m currently working on a new oil landscape painting which is going well so far. The aim with this one is to create a sense of stillness and calm - to feel as if you are completely in the moment. It is important for me to not just describe the scene but to also capture the mood that I felt when I was there.

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!

Sandonia

I am often fascinated by how the landscape changes over a period of time. The Sandonia in Stafford has recently seen some dramatic changes after builders started to knock down some of the walls but then stopped, leaving it in a semi demolished state. This opened up the side of the structure revealing some of the interior, which I found interesting. I have just completed a new pencil drawing of the view from one of the sides and tried out a number of techniques to capture the gritty textures on the walls and ground.

As always, my interest in this kind of scene is the way nature takes over the places we abandon. In addition there’s the history side of it where people have memories of how the place used to be. The building has been used for various things over the years, finishing off as a snooker hall towards the end of its life. I remember playing snooker there once as a teenager with friends. At the moment I’m not sure whether the place will be fully demolished or restored once again.

You can view the drawing in the Abandoned Spaces section of this website.

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.