My background is in graphic design where I received good grounding in everything from photography to life drawing as part of my course work, thanks to it being way before computers took over as the design tool of choice. This is one of those times I am grateful for being older, as photography, painting and drawing have given me much enjoyment over the years. Graphic design - applied art - is largely about pleasing others, whereas fine art is largely about pleasing myself (or so I reckon), and if what I produce also pleases some other people then that is a bonus!
For several years I was member of the North of England Art Club. I later returned to studying in my spare time and attended several painting and drawing classes, plus a BA Fine Art course, run by Newcastle College. I have also attended several art courses and classes (notably those run by the estimable Clare Money who has removed my fear of dealing with landscape subjects).
My subject matter varies - and indeed the style and medium too (according to my mood at the time and what would seem to fit the bill) but what binds everything together is a celebration of the things I see around me.
‘THINGS SEEN’ 1-4 June 2022
In 2022 I held my first solo exhibition in The Old Low Light, North Shields Fish Quay (oldlowlight.co.uk) which was successful and highly enjoyable.
‘MORE THINGS SEEN’ 28 May - 1 June 2024
I repeated my exhibition experience in The Old Low Light, North Shields Fish Quay (oldlowlight.co.uk) and made no apology for the show’s title!
‘SPACE’ 23-31 October 2026
Is an exhibition planned for later this year, again at The Old Low Light, on North Shields Fish Quay, so I hope you will be able to come along and see my latest work.
SPACE - we all exist within it, at a very immediate and personal level, as we move around during our daily lives. At the other end of the scale, our planet floats within an unimaginable, endless amount of it.
My paintings and drawings can’t help but depict space and I find I am as interested in the space my subjects occupy as the space that exists between them - so-called ‘negative space’ - the areas where exciting things can happen! Whether I’m looking at some small detail, like a crumpled leaf or considering a very distant view I enjoy paying attention to how positive and negative areas nudge each other and how opposing colours can sometimes ‘jump’ when they touch.
My subject matter varies and also the way that I tackle it. How a piece of artwork emerges is very much led by my subject matter, how I feel at the time of working and what simply feels ‘right’. These past few years I have returned to oil paint and have had to acquire the patience needed whilst it slowly dries, having become used to the more rapid ways of pastel and acrylics!
I hope you enjoy this show and find something to your liking. Please remember that 25% of all sales will go directly to the Old Low Light - this much-loved local resource needs all the help we can give it.
Please note that the building will be closed (as is usual) on Sunday and Monday 25-26 October.
More details will be posted on the Old Low Light’s own website