Coastal Path Torbay

On leaving a career in Primary Education I decided to explore a growing interest in art. I took a one-year Access Course at Exeter College and then a three-year degree course at Plymouth University; BAHons Designer Maker. This introduced me to the delights of working with clay and a variety of other materials. After Graduating in 2007 I set up a studio and workshop in my home. I currently produce ceramics and paintings.

 

My work is inspired by a love of the natural world and a need to immerse myself in the countryside and my garden. Expressing a sense of solitude, quietness and of being with nature. It is a personal interpretation of place through vibrant colour, strong texture, and light.

 

My painting methods are constantly evolving. I work on several pieces at a time in a variety of media appropriate to the subject and feeling I want to evoke.

 

Working with clay adds another dimension to this interpretation of landscape. It allows me to explore topography by manipulating the clay into a variety of exciting forms before painting.

 

I work predominantly, in my studio, using numerous sketches and notes made on location. These are an integral part of my working process.

 

Painting in oils on canvas, using a palette knife, has until now been my preferred medium. I like the feel of oil paint and the way it can be moved about to create forms and texture. More recently I have been exploring mixed media combining gesso, acrylic, and oil, painted on a box canvas or wooden surface.

 

Pastels are also a wonderfully expressive medium for me. I am enjoying experimenting with different surfaces to hold the colourful pastel. Currently I am working on board, layered with gesso, acrylic and finally pastel.

 

In my ceramics I use stoneware clay that is painted and coloured using porcelain slips and oxides. Pieces are then fired to a high temperature so are suitable for indoor or outdoor use. I produce unique pieces that are all hand-built using either, the pinch, slab, or coil methods. They vary in size from small handheld pieces to large garden sculptures.

 

The content of all my work is a direct response to the mood, atmosphere, and beauty of landscape.

Pastel on Acrylic

60x60cm