It can sometimes be hard to step away from our modern daily lives, to take time to clear our heads and just breathe. We look for places to give us space to escape and for me it’s being by the sea. When I arrive at the coast and look towards the horizon, I feel my shoulders drop and start to breathe a little bit slower. The echoes of these coastal visits are with me when I paint and my hope is that they are woven into the finished paintings, so when you walk into a room, you can take time to look at the work, explore the colours, textures and space, perhaps meditate a little on the painting’s surface and breathe a little slower.
I gather these coastal memories, sometimes I’ll make notes of things that catch my eye; the changing light and colours, shapes, sounds, movements. Back in the studio my process starts with quickly covering the blank canvas, then taking time to work with the paint to make marks and add layers. As the painting starts to evolve, it can spark a memory or at other times a memory inspires the composition. Freedom from the constraints of painting realistically gives room to let things happen and it’s exciting to start a piece without knowing the outcome. I have a sense of working in partnership with the painting rather than being the sole creator. It takes time to evolve and I’m learning to be patient.
I’ve collected memories of the sea for a long time. Born and raised in a small fishing town, it shaped daily life. I still love listening to the shipping forecast. Drawing and painting also belongs in my core. It’s interesting to me that both things have come together in what I do.
My painting journey has taken a few twists and turns; a childhood passion, painting in the evenings and weekends around other work, turning a spare room into a studio and doing other work part-time, to where I am now, painting full time from my studio at Deemouth Artist Studios in Aberdeen.
I sell my work from galleries, direct through open studio events and to those who find me on-line. If you are interested in a piece, you can get in touch and I will introduce you to the gallery or if the work is here, I can arrange a studio visit for you to view it. If you don’t live locally, I can answer any questions and share a video and more images. Don’t hesitate to get in touch, I’d be delighted to hear from you.
My coastal explorations are continuing, and I’ll share new work here as it becomes available. You can be the first to hear about it by joining my mailing list. Thank you for taking time to visit me here, I hope you enjoy the paintings and find a little space to breathe.
