Artist Statement
My practise concerns itself around the landscape. My continuing fascination with the changing of the seasons and their effect on the light and the colour inspires my current work.
I often start pieces using the technique of monoprinting, which involves rolling out some ink on a plate, laying a sheet of paper on top and drawing or making marks on the papers surface, thus picking up ink on the reverse. The result is a reverse image that is tactile and organic in its production. It does not allow for mistakes so can let you discover new lines or marks that, if drawing, you may have erased.
Currently I am working with mixed media, including watercolour, gouache, water-soluble graphite and pencil; however, I continue to explore printmaking through linocuts, monoprints and drypoints.
Other than the landscape itself, inspiration for new work can come from anywhere, from a visit to a gallery, craft fair or market, to looking through old magazines and photographs. I try to take a lot of photographs and keep them up in my studio alongside the work to remind me of the light I have seen or a colour I think would work for a new piece.
Artists that inspire my or my work are varied. Currently I am looking at Nigel Swift (www.largenigel.com), Kurt Jackson (www.kurtjackson.co.uk), Mark Rothko, Turner, Peter Doig and Howard Hodgkin.