From first to last brushstroke, painting is a journey of exploration of colour, texture, form and composition. Rather than depicting the visual world in front of me, I express my emotions, my state of mind or inner life. It is a search to reveal thoughts, emotions and truths words cannot convey. I layer the painting, giving it depth and texture; by scratching the surface I can reveal the colours below. Also, depending on colour usage and canvas, the under-painting reveals itself as it hovers just under or over the surface. Having used a variety of media including pastel, ink and conte, I currently paint in oil and acrylic. I do figurative, still life, landscape and abstract works, inspired by the visual, emotional, cerebral and spiritual; ...by life.
Artists that have inspired me include Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning, Alice Neel, Frida Kahlo, Marlene Dumas, Emily Carr, Susan Rothenberg, Picasso, Paula Rego and Egon Scheile, to name a few.