As an artist I could paint anything, but it's water that can keep me mesmerized as I observe the wonderful reflections, play of light, time of day, and other emotions felt by its touch and power.  I enjoy boats silently moored or at rest, or with sails open ready to catch the wind; listening to waves crashing or water lapping at my bare feet as I stand on the sand; hearing the rain gently falling down to the ground or thundering on a tin roof and seeing reflections in rivers or puddles.  By adding the activity of people, animals or birds in my paintings, I feel this gives further energy and life to the paintings.

 

  

As the world faces a shortage of water, our most precious resource; I like to draw your attention to its beauty, power and strength and I often combine these elements.  I strive to give my work something special; a masterful touch which makes each painting a memorable work of realist art and tells the viewer something about what I am painting, yet possibly also guessing at other aspects within the work.  I like the viewer to also feel the subject is accessible; where they feel as if they can also enter the painting.

I paint in the oil and soft pastel mediums and each medium brings with it, its unique characteristics.  I credit the discipline instilled during my first few years in studying classical tonal realism to have allowed me to progress to the standard of painting that I strive for today.  In understanding the rigid rhythm of commands often associated with what appeared like laborious exercises, I feel it has given me the solid foundation from which to then experiment and 'break the rules'.  My pastels and oils show a vigor and movement in brush strokes and application that add to the drama and texture that I seek.  It is this perseverance in the two mediums that has allowed me to capture and master the effects that I strive for. 

 

I am able to enjoy the freedom and solitude in my studio and also my environment when painting or sketching outdoors.  This has allowed me to focus on my vision and direction and brings with it new struggles, inspiration and growth as an artist.  Although I also tutor various workshops and tours overseas, my primary focus is to paint and through its exploration to continually grow as an artist.

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My other passion is painting portraiture and the human form as the a face or a figurative concept can tell us so much.  To see my work based on the Human Form or to commission a portrait, please visit my website: