I got into the City
and Guilds school of Art when I was fifteen because of my drawing.
Two years later, dear old Middleton Todd got me a scholarship
to the Royal Academy for the same reason, where Fleetwood Walker,
Middleton Todd, Robin Gutherie and others taught me and now I
am drawing even more, only simplyfying.
All my paintings are about colour and light, apart from a period
when I only painted by candlelight, fascinated by shadows. Three
years ago I had a tumour in my head and nearly died. I have hardly
painted since, but took up Japanese Caligraphy and carried on
with my ceramic art, drawing in clay - all my Japanese figures
took on the colours of my paintings only more exotic.
When you practice Japanese Caligraphy, you throw a lot away. So
I bought loads of cheap paper from my local fish and chip shop.
Lately, still using the paper from the fish and chip shop (which
is a lovely linen colour), I have been doing big drawings of Louise
Brooks with my Japanese brush and ink. I throw loads away and
pin the best to my studio wall, large black and white, they have
the same quality of Japanese Caligraphy, very intense.
The light is better now, and I have lots of new oil paints, and
rows of canvas. I always stretch my own canvases. Hopefully, I
will paint in a more simple way using what I have learnt from
my black and white work and ceramics. I used to think things were
separate - painting / drawing / sculpture / writing etc. etc.,
but in the end I am finding they all meet. As an artist, especially
at my age, one must grow, work hard and throw away, keep what
is good and move on, it is very exciting.
Please click on the images below for a larger
view and painting details
Unless indicated otherwise, paintings are
priced from £750 to £1500
