Artist Statement
I aim to capture a poignant moment, a distant memory, a sense of peace and freedom in the seascapes I paint. Historically seas and coastlines have been portrayed as a place of storms, battle and death, but as I walk along the shorelines of the Atlantic I find restoration and inspiration.
When the snow fell this winter, a new spark of inspiration came and I was captivated by the quiet early morning light within a new white landscape. I have just painted a new series of snowscapes depicting the qualities of silence and stillness that fascinated me.
Although the landscapes of sea and snow can often be lonely and bleak, I see a quality of light that I try to capture in the paintings that portray hope and serenity. There are times when the light seems to stand so still, casting dusky long shadows that brings a soft tenderness in a sometimes harsh reality.
The contrast between light and dark also produces a feeling of depth and perspective, encapsulating a unique and fleeting instance never to surface again, celebrating the diversity of every moment. By simplifying and softening the forms and focusing on a limited and somewhat muted palette, I aim to emphasise the force and power depicted in creation to extract and focus on the peace.
I use hand made gesso primed canvases and mix safflower oil glazes from good quality pigment for all my paintings. I find that the layering of translucent glazes emphasize light and shadow and allow for a rich build of colour and form.