Artist Statement

My focus on landscape painting is stimulated by a deep sense of tranquillity felt in rural settings and an interest in Biocentrism. Through oils and pastels, I aim to record the pulses of life emanating from the surrounding land and skies, whilst also focussing on the delicate and impermanent nature of our climate today. By sitting quietly and using instinct, I can understand an environment with a deeper scrutiny, focussing on the essential characteristics of the landscape from which I draw inspiration. I feel a strong connection to the Kentish countryside, where I have lived for most of my life, and this has become the subject of many of my paintings.

 

The feeling of calm portrayed in each painting is dependent on the elements before me, ranging from bright, vast skies elicited in strong daylight to the muted, soft treelines created through dawn and dusk. To achieve this, my current work consists of curated compositions formed through several thinly applied layers of oil and pigment. With this technical decision, I can amalgamate realism with a minimalist depiction of the setting, using sketches, photographs, and my own memories to work from.

 

Furthermore, whilst I may depict farmland or a landscape affected by mankind, I choose to leave evidence of modern living and technology behind. The reason for this is twofold. Firstly, I find the sense of calm is amplified with the absence of animals or architecture, and secondly, I see the land and sky as the main focus in my paintings, rather than the backdrop to another story. I hope my paintings will encourage the viewer to appreciate the landscape that exists around them, carrying an urge to protect and preserve our beautiful world.