I’m working on a couple of paintings for an upcoming exhibition. I switch a bit between different mediums, pursuing different ideas. What I’m pursuing through Paper Mache is different to what Ideas I’m chasing through painting or drawing. There’s a connection through approach and a definite feel to the works. I have a love and respect for the materials I work with while working within their limits.

I suppose I’ve been a bit reflective lately (much like almost everybody else I imagine!) In the slowing down of our fast-paced lives due to covid, it has bought about for me, a look at where I’ve come from, where I’m at and where I’m going.

I have been creating small paintings in oil on board for a couple of years now. I’ve previously painted on canvas, but always loved the look of oil on board. The paint is slippery, sliding around and calling for a completely different approach to my works on canvas. I’m chasing an whiff of an idea, something small, precious, slightly creepy but also endearing. Why I need to I’m unsure, so I looked back on earlier works to see if I could find that elusive thread.

Looking back over my work I can see several threads that evolved, I’ve come back to different themes. over time. These paintings above were created between 6 to 10 years ago, I then moved with the patterning aspect and took it into drawing. (That’s another story in itself)

I can see the eyes and heads in these works moving into the painting I’m doing now, where the eyes are a big focus. There’s a fairytale feel to the works, with a dark sinister edge, which comes through in a lot of my work.

So anyway, I’m in the process of creating 2 works to be called “The darkest light” and “Dark Dreams” Usually I dream up the names while creating the works, but as I had to have the entry in early I went names first. Under the pressure now to make sure I’ll get 2 works done and dry in time. Great stuff!