...towards representing moorland, woodland, harbours, river estuaries, beaches, gardens and the human form in water-colour
The South Hams has such a wealth of vistas, ever changing light, skies, never the same twice.
Writing:
Second book published, starting on third.
Writing:
Second book published, starting on third.
This year I had the privilege of being selected to participate in the ‘Hothouse Writing Course’ with Costa prize winning Author, Monique Roffey, organised by ‘Literature Works’. It came at just the right stage as I was editing my second story ready for publication. My fellow writers gave invaluable feedback and Monique challenged us every day with exercises and tasks.
Scenes from book 2
Last year I fulfilled a long held ambition and signed up for a 12 month course ‘Defining Practice’ with the renowned Newlyn School of Art for 2020. The course consists of two day tutorials at the school spread throughout the year with work recommended to complete at home in between. It was an exciting prospect if a little daunting. I prepared an online presentation, then, when invited for an interview, travelled to Cornwall, with my portfolio, to discuss with the head of the school Henry Garfit. The term started in January, I met my cohort and spent two very enjoyable and stimulating days with them and then…
We all know what followed- but some of the group have kept in touch through Facebook and recently Zoom meetings to encourage one another. Newlyn kept our spirits up with tutorials online, with Jesse Leroy Smith and Faye Dobinson feeding us with plenty of ideas and challenges which aligned with our new circumstances.
Meanwhile, in spite of the initial shock and worry I have used the extra time to explore a new medium, linocut and to really focus in on my immediate locality. I found writing a cathartic process and I have posted some of my thoughts on my blog page. It also prompted me to complete my book, add a couple more illustrations and get it proofed and hopefully, ready to print.
The Newlyn course finally finished in June 2021 and I am continuing to explore ideas from it in my practice.
We all know what followed- but some of the group have kept in touch through Facebook and recently Zoom meetings to encourage one another. Newlyn kept our spirits up with tutorials online, with Jesse Leroy Smith and Faye Dobinson feeding us with plenty of ideas and challenges which aligned with our new circumstances.
Meanwhile, in spite of the initial shock and worry I have used the extra time to explore a new medium, linocut and to really focus in on my immediate locality. I found writing a cathartic process and I have posted some of my thoughts on my blog page. It also prompted me to complete my book, add a couple more illustrations and get it proofed and hopefully, ready to print.
The Newlyn course finally finished in June 2021 and I am continuing to explore ideas from it in my practice.
2020
Scene from book
Oaks beside the Yealm- watercolour
En Plein Air
Acrylics created on the beach. They bear the sand to prove it. Despite the challenge of holding down canvas in wind, minimising the amount of sand in paint, brushes and eyes, and dodging showers it was pure delight to be out painting on the beach. Trying to capture fleeting impressions.
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< SOLD centre right, centre, bottom left |
Life studies
NFS
Oils
1 Gorse
Heron Haunt
3 Winding down to the sea- SOLD
Watercolour
Devon fiord
“How the light falls” on distant Dartmoor
River Reflections SOLD
“Dartmoor River’
Fishing off Pope’s Quay
Summer on the Quay
Wembury Sunset- SOLD
Crabbing off the Quay- tide out
Velvet Anemones
Spring Woodland- SOLD
Oil- perfect wave
2018
SOLD
Tonal study, City-scape and still life in oils.
Print Workshop
Collagraph-examples of single & double colour printing and watercolour finish
monoprinting
Woodland, River sold, Reflections of sunset on Noss _ sold
Mothecombe sold. Book illustration
SOLD
'East Dartmoor' is the culmination of a morning sketching, photographing and making notes on a cool August day. With Sharp Tor prominent it overlooks the wooded Dart Valley, distant sun-streaked rolling hills and then on out to the south coast. The light changed rapidly as the wind harried overhead clouds. Different areas were, by turns lit and cast into deep relief. There was potential for multiple paintings capturing fleeting instances and moods from this one spot. I chose an instant of transition, after low cloud had passed over but before the sun broke through the higher layers. A moment of stillness giving a sense of the timelessness of these uplands.
'East Dartmoor' is the culmination of a morning sketching, photographing and making notes on a cool August day. With Sharp Tor prominent it overlooks the wooded Dart Valley, distant sun-streaked rolling hills and then on out to the south coast. The light changed rapidly as the wind harried overhead clouds. Different areas were, by turns lit and cast into deep relief. There was potential for multiple paintings capturing fleeting instances and moods from this one spot. I chose an instant of transition, after low cloud had passed over but before the sun broke through the higher layers. A moment of stillness giving a sense of the timelessness of these uplands.
SOLD
Brooking Down Woods in Spring
This is a favourite walk for myself and my flat coated retriever Bryher. It is a local community woodland cared for by volunteers, with a circular path choreographed to help you enjoy all its aspects. It is particular attractive in Spring when there are glimpses through the trees of farmland, woodland gardens, a stream and in the distance the estuary. It reaches its peak with the perfume of blue-bells and rivers of vivid colour running through the dappled light on the woodland floor.
My painting is created from a composite of sketches and photographs made in an effort to capture that effect, with the early Spring light behind and through the trees.
Brooking Down Woods in Spring
This is a favourite walk for myself and my flat coated retriever Bryher. It is a local community woodland cared for by volunteers, with a circular path choreographed to help you enjoy all its aspects. It is particular attractive in Spring when there are glimpses through the trees of farmland, woodland gardens, a stream and in the distance the estuary. It reaches its peak with the perfume of blue-bells and rivers of vivid colour running through the dappled light on the woodland floor.
My painting is created from a composite of sketches and photographs made in an effort to capture that effect, with the early Spring light behind and through the trees.
still life- water soluble oils
