About me

me in the studio
 
In 1995 I graduated from Cheltenham College of Art with a BA (hons) in Fine Art (painting). I then went on to do a PGCE. In 1997 I moved to Dorchester and started painting professionally.

I am represented by Carina Haslam Art who regularly takes my work to the Affordable Art Fairs in London, New York and Singapore.
In 1997 and 2001 I was among the finalists in the Windsor and Newton Young Artists Competition held at the Mall Galleries, London. I have also exhibited at the Mall Galleries in the Laing Landscape Exhibition, the Royal Society of Marine Artists (RSMA) Exhibition and the New English Art Club (NEAC) Exhibition.

I have written articles for ‘The Artist’ magazine and am included in the 'Art Class' book, published by Harper Collins, with a chapter about my work. One of my paintings was also chosen for the front cover of the February 2003 issue of the ’Ideal home’ magazine. In 2005 I won the Diana Brooks Prize at the ‘Art for Youth’ exhibition, Mall Galleries, London. In 2011 four of my paintings were selected for inclusion in the 'House of Lords' permanent collection. I also have a painting in the collection of HRH Princess Anne.

As a painter I have been drawn to the Dorset landscape as a subject for many years. Working outside in all weathers and at all times of the year I have built up an understanding of the way the landscape changes. The structure of the place can be relatively constant yet light, seasons and weather can have a dramatic effect on how they look. I often revisit the same places, each time they reveal something new. A view from Charmouth beach, crisp and clear on one day can be shrouded in mist the next. The tide moves in and out and the light and weather can change quickly. All of this calls for a gutsy approach, working quickly trying to capture something of the moment before it changes. It is about experiencing nature first hand being out in the elements, battling with the wind, the rain, the flies, the drama of an approaching rain storm and the approaching herd of inquisitive cows.
Working outside is all about trying to infuse the paintings with this life and excitement, to capture a fleeting moment. Back in the studio a more selective, considered approach can be taken and the paintings can be viewed on their own merits away from the subject. Some are left as they are, others are worked on further away from the subject or reworked onto a larger canvas, others are discarded or painted over another day.