My Process

I always start from primary source. 

If I am painting a seascape for instance, I will visit a beach, take photos, then use those for inspiration.  I then sit in the studio and I can spend two or three hours just browsing through my photos! I get an emotional overload where I have too many ideas and have trouble narrowing down to a shortlist. I’ll have music playing and get through loads of black coffee! 

As I keep reminding myself, I am working towards a memory of the experience rather than an exact copy.

I have to be patient during this process as I don’t really have any control over it but I am fully emersed and focused during this time.  Then its just a flow state, the emotional connection comes and I lock in that feeling.

I work on 2-3 paintings at once. 

This is because I need to stand back, take a break and return with what I call ‘fresh eyes’.  But I don’t want to just down tools, so while I’m in the ‘flowstate’, I move on to another piece and continue to flit between pieces, coming  back regularly with ‘fresh eyes’ to spot what is missing or what needs painting over!  I definitely cannot be accused of being precious about my work!

I am a firm believer that every experience in life is never wasted, every happy, sad, boring or complicated event is a lesson which feeds my art.  I can look back at my work and recall the emotional connection that I felt during the process.