My work is driven by the potential of the materials I use. I’m not a thematic painter, I move between abstract and figurative, gestural and minimal. Painting has endless possibilities, which ultimately makes it both an incredibly difficult occupation and completely absorbing.
My work is driven by the potential of the materials I use. I’m not a thematic painter, I move between abstract and figurative, gestural and minimal. Painting has endless possibilities, which ultimately makes it both an incredibly difficult occupation and completely absorbing.
I want each piece of work I make to be different and better than the last. I tend to work across several pieces at once, allowing ideas and colours to bounce from one surface to another. I also consider the grounds I work on, recently returning to using re-cycled and non-pristine surfaces such as fabrics and old frames.
I often combine media, for example using stitch and collage. In doing so I am paying attention to both the visual qualities of the media and the historical context of the process. I am interested in how a piece is viewed and valued, referring at times to the false dichotomy of art versus craft.
Visually, I am led by colour. Often a piece of work will simply begin by me laying down a colour mark, then responding to it by adding a second and so on. I may then decide to incorporate imagery or explore accidental marks, deliberately messing up a surface to challenge the obvious direction the painting may be taking. I avoid the notion of perfection and if a painting becomes too comfortable I will disrupt it to allow it to develop into something new and more exciting.
I see each piece of work I make as a step leading onto something else. They can be seen by the viewer as individual and autonomous pieces and, indeed, I intend for them to stand alone. However, as the artist I am very aware of how they fit together even though at times they may appear disparate. Fundamentally I am exploring the language of paint and as such I relish the opportunity to contrast skill with accident and knowledge with spontaneity.
TRAINING
B.A. (hons) Drawing and Painting. Glasgow School of Art, 1990-1994.
M.A. Painting. The University of Hull (Scarborough Campus) 2002-2004.
Certificate in Further and Adult Education: Portsmouth College, 1999.
AWARDS
Student Exchange Scholarship, to The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Aug-Dec 1993.
RESIDENCIES
1998-2000: Artist in Residence. Taunton School, Somerset.
WORK IN EDUCATION
2000-2002: Course Leader, Art and Design. Scarborough Sixth Form College. Responsibilities included the management and delivery of Art and Design subjects with specific subject responsibility for Photography and Fine Art: Budget management, course design, teaching and learning, staff development.
2002-2008: Lecturer in Art & Design. Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough. I taught across the Art & Design curriculum, with particular responsibility for Fine Art and Graphic Design: Planning and delivery of courses, marking and assessing student work, pastoral care.
OPEN STUDIOS
York Open Studios, April 2017
York Open Studios, April 2015
SOLO EXHIBIITONS
2007 FLOWER, Beningbrough Hall, York
2007 MISCELLANY, Beningbrough Hall, York
2006 TASTE, 20-21 Visual Arts Centre, Scunthorpe
1999 NEW PAINTINGS, Air Gallery, London
1998 PAINTINGS, Taunton School, Somerset
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2017 The Art Café, Flowergate, Whitby
2015/2016 Illuminating York 'Bunny Trail'
2015 York Open Studios
2009 Summer Show, The Art Cafe, Whitby
2008 magical/mystical/nature, Friar Lane Gallery, Nottingham
2008 London Art Fair, Beverley Knowles Fine Art, London
2006 Multiplicity, Kirkleatham Museum and Art Gallery, Redcar
2005 Gallery Artist, Blue Wing Gallery, Padstow, Cornwall
2005 neo, Cockermouth, Cumbria
2004 Painting is Dead, Long Live Painting, Hastings Museum & Art Gallery, Hastings
2004 Women's Work, Artlink Exchange, Hull
2003 Unframed, Cuploa Art Galley, Sheffield
1997 York Open, York City Art Gallery, York
1995 6x6, University of Northumbria, Newcastle
1994 New Generation, The Compass Gallery, Glasgow
1994 Paths of Exploration, The Assembly Rooms, Glasgow
1993 RSA student exhibition, Edinburgh
