Anya

New charcoal drawing 'Anya' charcoal on paper, 305 x 229 mm. Learning to keep some of the edges nice and soft.

The Snow Queen

I've just finished this little painting which was inspired by 'The Snow Queen' by Hans Anderson. The medium is oil on board.

I created a montage which shows my progression through the painting, starting with an underpainting using white and raw umber for the darkest areas and the mid tones. I've only recently started experimenting with underpainting and I'm finding it a really helpful addition to my process. 

Pastels and Ink.

'Jennie' Pastel and ink on acid free pastel paper, 650 x 500 mm

Perseverance

I started this painting about three and a half years ago, and have only just finished it. Every so often I would do a little more, only to become frustrated by the limits of my own capability. You have to let yourself be bad in order to improve and sometimes this is the hardest thing, to persevere. It's still not the painting I would like it to be but there are aspects of it that I'm happy with, and I'm glad I finally finished it as it has taught me a lot, especially about colour, composition and softening edges.

'Emma Pregnant' Oil paint on canvas, 510 x 760 mm

Wellbeing projects with Cartwheel Arts

I have been lucky enough to be involved in some really interesting and inspiring projects with Cartwheel Arts this year.
If you would like to follow us as we endeavour to improve the wellbeing of the people of Rochdale through creativity, you can do so here -

http://artforwellbeing.wordpress.com/2013/11/02/the-banners-are-finished/

Sam and Aysha

I finally had a chance to finish this piece this week, it was a hard slog drawing all of those ruffles but definitely worth the effort. What came through when I was taking reference photos for this piece was that these women have an amazing friendship. It was a really enjoyable process and I hope they will be muses for me again soon.

'Sam and Aysha' Pastel on paper, 650 x 500 mm

Harlequin

I recently finished this piece. It has a vintage circus theme and was partly inspired by the harlequins depicted in Picasso's 'Rose Period'. I love the romance and exquisite contrasting colours of these paintings.

I largely work from photographs using someone I know as a model. I really enjoy getting lost in the process of making the photographs, and feel it is very much a playful, collaboration with the model. The hat was an impromptu creation, made by stapling miniature playing cards to some rolled up card.