Proximity
Proximity /prɒkˈsɪmɪti/ noun nearness in space, time, or relationship. I’ve had some great news last Thursday: I’m finally going to be off furlough and back to work as a studio painter. It has been a privilege to dedicate this much time for making my own art, but to be completely honest, I am really keen…
A word with the Micromanager
Anybody else struggling with motivation lately? Seems like this is all I talk about these days; I am not really built for the anxieties of the new normal. Where I tend to be pretty good at setting my own goals and sticking by them, lately the uncertainty with work and life in general has really…
This is probably the most famous picture in the world.
It’s been a weird few weeks so I hope you forgive me for not being desperately active on the blog lately. But I have been busy in the studio, trying to finish up my furlough paintings and working on some new embroideries. Even so, finding the motivation to make art has been a struggle. I…
Summer 2020
I can’t believe it’s almost Midsummer! This has not really been the season by the sea I was hoping for, but at least I am lucky to be spending it safe and sound with my husband and the dog, who absolutely loves having both of his parents home with him. In other news, my furlough…
Threaded II
I have been so busy with a project that I almost forgot some of my Double Exposure pieces are currently on show at Envision Arts online exhibition Threaded II! This is a multimedia exhibition, curated around the idea of fibres, and all work submitted needed to consists of 25% fibres of any form. The two…
1997 – on Seductiveness of Nostalgia
NHL cards and Extreme Ghost Busters. That pretty much sums up my 1997, besides from starting school and rocking a rad mullet.
“1997” is the second portrait I have finished during lock-down and the first sort-of self portrait I’ve painted in years.
Instead of introducing the piece through the language of painting, I…
Pumpuli Enkeli
Can I withhold pay if my studio assistant refuses to social-distance himself? Greetings from the atelier floor – I’ve got something to show to you and I swear it is more than just adorable photos of my dog. The rainbow-hued mixed media piece that cropped up on this blog last week is finally finished. Now…
Work in Progress
I don’t know about you, but I am really struggling to get anything finished these days. So, in the spirit of keeping calm and carrying on, I thought I’d give you a few work-in progress-snaps. Y’know, in case you too are browsing the underbelly of internet rather than getting back to work. I would know……
Nothing but a Hound Dog – digital illustration
Greeting from lockdown guys – things have not quite reached the banana bread-stage of cabin craziness, but we’re almost there. In avoidance of baked goods, I thought it would be nice to brush up my Photoshop skills and add new digital work on my illustration portfolio. Now, I’ve used Photoshop in the past to work…
Life on lockdown
Long time no see! Here’s how I’ve been spending my lockdown so far…
Two Brides
I have written about “Two Brides” before, but here’s the finished piece! Inspired by Jan Toorops drawing “Three Brides” and the zeitgeist of the 1930’s it is the first figurative portrait I have painted in seven years.
Lilium Candidum
It has been a while since I added to my Toussaints series, so I am pleased to introduce Lilium Candidum, the latest of these mixed media pieces based on/ up-cycled using early 20th century religious prints I have collected from the South of France. The print of the Madonna and Child I started with was…
If first you don’t succeed…
In a society where an instant reward is expected to follow the slightest of efforts, it is natural to consider the absolutes of failure or victory as the only acceptable outcomes regarding work, education or personal development. In reality, there is a huge and productive grey area between the two.
Radar Artist Fair
Back in the game, so to speak; I’ll be exhibiting at the Radar Artist Fair in the Old Spitalfields Market coming May! Radar Artist Fair is an Artist Led platform to Amplify the Next Wave of Artistic Talents and Connect a Global Audience. The Real affordable Artist Fair that’s affordable for Artists. Artists taking back…
Double Exposure – drawing new narratives
In these past few weeks I have been continuing my “Double Exposure” project; using white paint markers of varying thicknesses as well as standard black fine-liners in lieu of embroidery. With this relatively limited palette, I wish to add a second layer on the pages from David Hamilton’s Souvenirs and replicate in drawing what it…
Corpus Christi – thoughts on early medical illustration, dissection and visual art
We all have hobbies, right? Little bit of arts and crafts perhaps, going to the gym, cookery, those sort of things. I personally enjoy long walks with my Alsatian Rusty, running… and reading about the many ways the human body has been mutilated in the name of science. Strictly historically speaking. Trust me, I am…
Two Brides – on photography and figurative painting
I have a longstanding habit of painting double portraits. There is something calming about a balanced pair, in both concept and composition. Spaced out harmoniously on canvas, two individual subjects depicted as a complimentary coupling – if there ever was a trope in painting that gets repeated over and over again, this one is mine. …
Niña Verde – portrait of Santa Muerte
The story of my latest painting started out with a book: Santa Muerte – the History, Rituals and Magic of Our Lady of the Holy Death by Tracey Rollin. As mentioned on my previous post, I collect lithographs of Catholic saints and I was curious about this “Skinny Lady”: a relative newcomer among the heavenly…
Double Exposure – transfers and embroidery
Double Exposure is research project looking into the depiction of vulnerable women and girls in visual art. Start from the beginning here. So far my research into the imagery of “Souvenirs” has taken me two ways. I began this project by applying simple embroidery straight onto the severed pages of the book, over and around the…
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