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Statement. A strong emphasis of my work is on experimenting and finding new techniques by utilizing a variety of mediums and materials. It opens up to me a more innovative way of painting, reflecting the vibrancy of the landscapes that are my subjects in the Spring and Summer. Predominantly my Landscapes may seem spontaneous and this is an effect that I sometimes like to achieve but are underpinned by a formal structure; a structure I can refer to in my watercolour and Gouashe studies. These studies enable me to capture the structure and most salient lines and shades. Also allowing me the freedom to paint the more fleeting aspects of nature. A crossover between Gouashe studies, creating rough sketches and painting is an ongoing process for me, especially now I am moving towards a more abstract, sketchy interpretation of Nature. Mediums For my landscapes are oil paint mixed with a quick drying Alkaline medium, richly layered onto paper with large Brushes, paying attention to the negative space. Allowing the painting to breath, also to achieve a spontaneous print like quility My Black and white paintings came about from looking at my own drawings and studies that I originally used as reference. For these preliminary studies I use graphite, charcoal, crayon and ink and Gouashe. Working in Black and White has a simplicity and purity and certain mood similar to photography but I prefer the human hand behind drawing and painting. This spires me to capture the light and Character that I see in a Cityscape. My figurative paintings are referenced from studies from a model. These small paintings reflect my interest in trying to achieve a sculptural quility to the figure. Currently it has been a natural progression to start sculpting the Human Figure from Plaster, clay and cardboard. I have reached a point in my work were there seems to be a cross pollination and my sculptures are starting make an appearance in some of my landscapes so I am exploring the relationship between the two. . For my Figurative paintings I used oil pastel, gouache, ink, sometimes on top of printed and collaged Asetate scanned through a printer. I am looking for new materials to discover and planning to make more use of printing presses,the vast array of different types of paper and materials on my travels Influences: To highlight just a few: Ivon Hitchens, Howard Hodgkins and John Virtue, there are the British Neo-Romantics such as Paul Nash and John Piper who participated in the Recording Britain Project in 1940, and the Barbizon School of painters as well as the German Expressionists e.g. Emile Nolde, Markus Lupertz. Cezanne. Edgar degas and Mattise and Taoist landscape tradition. Medieval stained glass and Tudor portraits especialy X-rayed images of Tudor portraits have an influence on my figurative work. My sculptures are influenced by Northern European sculpture which in hand have been influenced by cultures further affield. History: Born in Oxford, I have lived in the City all my life. I have been encouraged to paint and draw from an early age and after a short stint at Art College, I later started to explore much of art through self-study and workshops run by local art schools and spending time with some inspiring Artists who were great mentors. All of this and growing up just on the outskirts of the centre of Oxford, with the nearby countryside as my backyard has made me feel in touch with what were later to become my painting subjects. Exhibitions Oxford Artsweek and East Oxford Artweek Events(annual events) Jam factory, Oxford Kieren Stiles Studio Oxford Said Business School,Oxford (Oxford in Transition) with Nicola Jenkins- www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/4542072.oxford-transition-said-business-school/ The Old Town Hall, Market Place, Faringdon Oxfordshire-May 2017 Reality, Illusion, Grotesque. Pashmin Art Gallery, Hamburg. 27 May - 29 June 2018 Carving Light, Solo exhibition at the Jam Factory Oxford. Small & Large Gallery from 08/01/20-19/02/20 www.artrabbit.com/events/carving-light A Beautiful Obsession Selection of pictures painted in Oxford, Berlin and Brandenburg. Alte Dampfbäckerei Seelow, Märkisch Oderland. 24th April till 30th June, 2022 |
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