Member since Tuesday 10th Sep, 2013
I describe my painting style as Ethereal-Romanticism. The 'Ethereal'
element has been a growing preoccupation with the manner in which light
and atmospheric conditions may affect our perception of a subject and
in turn may become the main focus of interest. The 'Ethereal' quality
of light has become the most prominent element of interest to me as a
painter; in conjunction with the ideals of ‘Romanticism’ as an attempt
to harness the power of the imagination, to envision and so escape. The
interest in the effect of nature upon the artist when he is surrounded
by it and the contemplation thereof is the product of a lifelong
fascination with the Natural world.
This definition has evolved, along with my objectives in painting,
through many years of inspiration from the landscape and the natural
world. The gradual development of Ethereal- Romanticism as a
description for my approach to painting began with enthusiastic visits
to the major Londonart galleries as a child. An early appreciation of
the paintings of the 'old masters' such as Turner and Constable were
encouraged by my father's interest in landscape painting. The
opportunity to accompany him as he delivered his own paintings for
exhibition at the Royal Academy or the Mall galleries, served as a lasting
impression. I began painting 'plein air' in 1975 at the age of Seven,
when I attended a summer art course lead by an accomplished Artist
(William Warden RBA) and so continued to accompany my father on
painting excursions in and around Kent. I began to exhibit my work at
the local art society at the age of fifteen and went on to study
Wildlife Illustration at Carmarthen College of Art. I spent many years
as Artist in residence for Howletts and Portlympne Wild Animal Parks. I
continued to travel throughout the British Isles, taking every
opportunity to paint 'plein air' from Norfolk to Cornwall,Scotlandand
many areas in between.
My ‘Studio’ paintings are a contemplation of my personal interest in
the natural world and an expression of my ‘Romantic Homage’ to the
tradition of painting and the inspiration that it has afforded me. Free
from the strict objective considerations of my ‘plein air’ and
illustration work, these contemplations, although inspired by a life
long fascination with the Natural World, are an attempt to reimagine a
sense of atmospheric effect associated with an experience and so render
it timeless.
