Concepts
Over the years I have constantly returned to the themes of landscape, colour and light in my work; figures, words and realism have subsided to give way to semi-abstracted images. Most of my current paintings remain a response to places, sights and journeys that because of form, colour or the way they might be naturally framed, become special.
Conceptually colour is very important to my work. Sometimes it is used to represent what is actually seen but, more often, it is there to express the emotional content of the place or experience.
Subject-wise the paintings become about side views, glimpses of colour on motorways, naturally framed journeys down lanes enveloped in trees, places that leave a memory – the view out from a dark car park onto a hillside blazing with light, when you are waiting for your family to return.
Influences
Contemporary; abstract colour; landscape; narrative; figurative; human behaviour and environment.
Career path
Since gaining my art degree at Liverpool in 1985 I have always worked, usually part-time, in different creative areas whilst continuing to develop my own professional practice as an artist. Since 1994 I have had my own studio. I have shown work in London and Bath as well as in various venues in the South West.
I am currently part-time Visual Arts Co-ordinator for a Theatre and Arts Centre, which gives me opportunities to programme and curate shows, work with other artists and develop projects. I also lecture in Fine Art professional practice.
My other interests are in disability arts (Cert Disability Studies) where I have participated in several national/international projects, education and, more recently, film and video.
Solo exhibitions
2000 Recent Work, The Ondaatje Gallery, Blundells, Tiverton, Devon
1998 Heads and Tales, Windows Art Centre, Bath
1997 Creatures, Heads and Tales, The Drill Hall, London
Group exhibitions
2006 ‘50 Wessex Artists’, Brewhouse Arts Centre, Taunton
2005 ‘Lifting the Spirit’, various venues, Culm Valley, Blackdown Hills
2004 Somerset Art Week, Simonsburrow House, Devon
2004 Blackdown Journeys, Tim Everett Fine Art, Pitminster, Taunton, Somerset
2004 Applehayes Revisited, Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton, Devon
2003 Four Person Show, Tunnel Wharf – The Space, London
2003 Enclosed Boundaries, Bridgwater Art Centre, Bridgewater
2002 Nine Days of Art, Simonsburrow House, Simonsburrow, Devon
2002 Super 8 Station, Film Festival, Station Gallery, Bristol
2000 New Work, Honiton Arts Festival, Honiton, Devon
1999 Spring Show, Chapel Gallery, Saltram House, Plymouth
1997 Portraits, Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Centre, Taunton
1997 Group Show, Teignmouth Arts Festival, Teignmouth
1995 Northbank Open, Northbank Gallery, London
1994 South West Open, Black Swan Guild, Frome, Somerset
Publications
50 Wessex Artists, Evolver Books, 2006
