1984, 75×55 cm, oil on canvas
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2014, 80×60 cm, oil on canvas -
1992, 60×70 cm, oil on canvas -
This painting depicts a narrative about wanting to escape circumstances. -
Out of the Forest is a large oil painting, 36x48x1.5 inches, of a view through the trees of the Ashdown Forest in Sussex to the heathland and fields beyond. It was inspired by the fact that I live very close to the forest and often walk there. The reality of this painting is a little strange. I wanted it to contrast being ‘realistic’ as well a little abstract and have therefore experimented by adding extra shapes and layers and hinting at other things but without losing the overall feeling of a warm golden space under the pine trees contrasted against the colder colours, blues and green of the landscape beyond. To the right of the painting a small deer stag can be seen looking back at us. He is quite well hidden. As a regular walker, I am fascinated by how much landscapes change at different times of day and in different seasons and wanted to try and capture this ever changing reality. I also enjoy spotting the deer who are always there but are clever at hiding. I like the ambiguousness of this painting. It is inviting and yet odd and I find it much more interesting than a traditional landscape painting. It feels like a place that may have a portal to some other universe… White edges, does not need a frame, ready to hang. See video about it: https://youtu.be/G4XSmW_8qfc -
Gentle Souls is 40x40x1.4 inches large contemporary, semi abstract, art nouveau painting with two spotted fallow deer in a woodland clearing in winter. Both deer stand on a different plane and around them are abstract trees that hint of pine trees and frosty tree branches. There is a suggestion of a hazy sun above tree line and hills in the top right. The two female deer have appeared in a strange space that hints of the heart of a forest but is overlapping in possibilities with transparent layers. The colours range from white and cream through to pale yellow, blues, violets, orange and pinks. The inspiration for the painting came having seen the herd of deer at Knole Park in Kent. I was struck by how elegant and perfect these little deer are, and simply wanted to express this. I chose a semi abstract background as it allows me freedom that contrasts with the traditional handling of the deer. Above to the right is a suggestion of a moon. I like the mystery of this painting and I am happy I have caught some of the essence of the deer who remain a constant source of fascination for me. I often see them when walking and are always amazed at how such relatively large creatures can appear and disappear with such apparent ease. It is quite magical. The painting is on deep edge canvas, white edges, no frame needed, ready to hang. See Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQiauXzoKYk -
Realm of the Ravens is a 40x40x1.5 inches large oil painting of a flock of ravens in flight against a golden sunset behind winter trees. The background is blurred, semi abstract and slightly magical, whilst the ravens are carefully painted in the foreground to give a feeling of depth. The ravens flap and caw as ravens do and although they have a woodland behind them, they are also moving into another realm through the hint of veils which they pass through. One of the ravens is white and the rest reflect the colours that you can see in black ravens of blues, greens and deep violets. Ravens fascinate me as they follow you and report to each other when you are in their territory. A collection of ravens is apparently called a ‘conspiracy’ which seems apt sometimes especially as they seem to laugh at the antics of mammals and humans. The inspiration for this painting is the winter woodland I see around Sussex and the ravens themselves who definitely know something I don’t about the landscapes I walk in. The painting has white edges, is ready to hang, no frame needed. https://youtu.be/8nXcgvD0BHo -
April Echoes is a large green woodland contemporary landscape oil painting of a distant lake seen through the trees of a woodland path. The painting is mostly made up of shades of bright green ranging from yellow greens through to dark viridians, purples and blues. The saplings and trees are dressed in the bright vibrant greens of springtime in England. This painting was inspired by a walk I took around Ardingly reservoir in Sussex. Woodland paths are a very constant source of inspiration for me as you never know where they will lead and what is across the next field, through the next wood and over the next style. It is exciting and you often come across deer, birds and other woodland creatures which adds to experience. This painting was made by blurring the edges of it to look out of focus whilst making the paint thicker and thicker towards the centre. The white of the glimpse of the lake is thickest of all which gives a 3D feeling of walking the path thought the trees and past the foxgloves and other woodland flowers. I dedicate this to everyone who is waiting for the grey winter to give way to spring again. Painted on 3D canvas, white edges, ready to hang, no frame needed. Video at: https://youtu.be/3wWrVzpRzxI -
Memory of Spring is a 40x40x1.5 inches large semi abstract oil painting of an English bluebell wood in springtime. It was inspired by the bluebells, wildflowers and pink blossom you see in patches of woodland around Sussex in April and May every year. Although it is contemporary in painting style, it still hints quite well at the flowers and yellow green saplings and trees of spring. It was painted from memory, as most of my landscapes are, as that tends to distill the composition and details right down to simplicities making the feeling of the painting and the magical element of forests and trees more prevalent than the botanical details. I love the fairy tale ancient landscapes of England and the magic quality you can find in forest clearings and fields and I never tire of trying to capture this fascination in the paintings that I make. The painting has white edges, ready to hang, no frame needed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1vLQRtLpnE