"The Glory of God Is Man Fully Alive." St Irenaeus
Artist Statement
My paintings are visual poems that are inspired by the meeting place of man and the environment he occupies. I am fascinated by the way man imposes his structure and mark into the natural world and then the forces of nature alter it, distress it, soften it and begin to take it back. I also love the window - the place where the indoor and outdoor environments meet. Ultimately I see all of this as a picture of the meeting place between man and God - all that happens at the place where one collides and interacts with the other and the beauty that arises because of it. Beauty is of paramount importance in my paintings. I want to see the kind of rough beauty that I see in a time etched wall, and feel as uplifted as I do when I am all alone with the sights, smells and sounds of an exploratory walk on a brand new day. This is why I paint the next painting. Along the way I have mostly discarded figuration as I don’t ask for them to be understood, but hope that they can be felt.
I undertook a Foundation in Art and Design with Falmouth College of Art in the 1990’s followed by achieving a BA (Hons) in Fine Art with Plymouth University. Later I took a course in Foundation Studies of Art Therapy which led me on another step of my journey, confirming a decision to make art my daily practice, and helping me to value the wonder and beauty of creativity as a lifestyle.
I am a member of Swanskin Printmakers, Drawn To The Valley, and an associate member with The Penwith Gallery, St Ives.
C.V. Events and Exhibitions
2022: Studios on the High Street, Cornwall Museum Pilot programme, Launceston. Shop window exhibition, Launceston. Open Studios, Drawn to The Valley, Launceston. 2021: Open Studios, Drawn-to-the-valley, Callington School of Art. Penwith Gallery, St Ives, Associate members and members Winter Show.2020: Penwith Gallery winter exhibition. Endelienta, St Endellion, Open Exhibition: The Castle Gallery, Bude. A ’Look Group’ Exhibition 2019:Endelienta, St Endellion. A Literary Festival with a visual response: 2018: Two person, The Castle Gallery, Bude, ‘Ways of Seeing:’ Riverbank Gallery, Newlyn: 2017: Penwith Gallery, St Ives, Members and Associate Members Winter show. Endelienta, St Endellion. Runner up prize at mixed group show. Open Studios Cornwall (at home): Penwith Gallery, St Ives, Associate Members small paintings exhibition. 2016: Christmas Open, Burton Art Gallery, Bideford: Penwith Members and Associate Members Winter Show, Penwith Gallery, St Ives: Riverbank Gallery, Newlyn: Open Studios Cornwall (at my home): Solo-Looking Beyond, The Castle Gallery, Bude: Swanskin Printmakers at The Castle Gallery, Bude: BAAM (Bude Arts and Music)-Children's printmaking workshop, Bude: 2015:Two person, Mount Kelly, Tavistock: Assisting a series of printmaking workshops with Double Elephant at Franklyn Hospital, Exeter: 2014: Solo-Snippets of my life, The Castle Gallery, Bude: Art for Youth, Royal College of Art, London: Swanskin Printmakers at The Castle Gallery, Bude: 2013: Printmakers Open, St Ives Society of Artists: 2009: Future Impressions, (printmakers) The Limekiln Gallery, Calstock. 2008: Lasting Impressions, (printmakers) Kelly College, Tavistock: Mount Edgecombe, Plymouth, with Drawn to the Valley group: 2006: Art Mill Christmas show, Art Mill, Plymouth: Cube 3, Plymouth University, Plymouth, with Drawn to The Valley group: Saltram House, Plymouth, with Drawn to The Valley group: 2005: Lander Gallery, Lemon St, Truro, with Cornwall Tutors: 2004: First Impressions, (printmakers) Kelly College, Tavistock: 2005 – 2015 Drawn To The Valley Open Studios at various venues: 2005 – 2009 Artist in Residence at St. Michael's School, Tawstock, Barnstaple.
Friends
The Riverbank Gallery, Newlyn.
The Penwith Gallery, St Ives.
Art for Youth London.
Drawn To The Valley.
The Castle Gallery, Bude.