b: 1973
Gray’s School of Art 1991-95
Artist statement (A little bit about what I am currently doing)
Scotland is a wonderful and diverse country. Living in central Aberdeenshire a short drive will take me to rugged coastline in one direction and majestic mountains in the other. That said, most of my paintings are of my immediate local area, seen while out on daily walks with my dog. Quiet places that are transformed every day by the changing light, weather and seasons. There is beauty to be found in the most humble places and I regularly return to paint the same locations where there is something different to experience each time.
My art practice is rooted in the tradition of representation which comes from my time studying at Gray’s School of Art. Through a combination of plein air and studio work, my aim is to capture the essence of a place with an economy of mark making. My training is as an oil painter but three years ago I tried soft pastel and instantly fell in love with its immediacy and ability to straddle the boundary of both drawing and painting.
I currently teach part time in a secondary school and for the rest of my week am committed to pursuing my painting practice.
