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What influences have you had from
other artists?
'I think to some degree, I am influenced by all art and artists,
whether consciously or otherwise. What I like and dislike is stored
and either introduced or avoided in my own work.'
'There is no 'one' artist that I feel influenced by, more, elements on
the whole that trigger my own creativity.'
'To be honest, I am equally influenced more so by the colour theory
and the science of mood enhancing colours.'
'Ironically enough, the artists I admire are people like Rodney
Matthews and Boris Vallejo whose style has no obvious baring on my
current work but who certainly have influenced my artistic
development.' |
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Why do you choose to paint seascapes?
'My paintings are produced with a purpose, to emphasize and instil
calm and peace within the viewer. The sea and sky are the elements
that can create this feeling by the very fact that they are equally
capable of being wild and aggressive, as we are, as human beings.'
'If you think of a landscape, though it may change its appearance with
the seasons, it never really has any significant degree of change in
its emotion or attitude. Then there is still life and figurative, a
subject to look at and admire, yes, but it can't 'belong' to the
viewer.'
'The absence of people or living things, combined with the stillness
and calm of the sea and sky creates an escape for the viewer that is
theirs and theirs alone.'
What do you think are the main themes of your work, for example,
line, colour, abstraction, atmosphere or tone etc?
'I think the previous answer partially explains what is important, and
why. For me what 'doesn't' go in my work is as important as that which
does. For example; the colour, it has to marry with the entire piece
and, despite they're being a huge amount of colour applied at the
start, the main ingredient is white to mute and soften the effect. I
avoid introducing a colour that fights with the others and jars the
senses.'
'The sea and sky are mirrored in colours, to a point, this is to
enhance the effect of the stillness, and i.e. the sea appearing so
calm, it almost reflects the sky exactly.'
'The element of abstraction in my work, both in the colour and focal
point (the boats) are all created by nature, if you look for long
enough. My paintings just help people notice this.' 'The most
important 'theme' to my work (once I've got the rest of it right.) is
to 'not' introduce any figures, only the suggestion that people will
be there again so enjoy the scene while it lasts.' "It's a
welcomed space, not a desolate place."
How did your interests build into painting and art?
'Where did my interests begin? I'd have to tell you my life story to
answer that properly but I'll try to be brief.'
'Though it's a cliché, I do believe it is something you are born with.
Whether you use it is up to you, and believe me, I nearly didn't.'
'My father was an architect, but retired before I was born. My mother
used to paint in watercolour for her own amusement but didn't believe
in her own ability and never pursued it more than as an occasional
hobby. She was however a very creative person, flower arranging,
sewing, cooking, acting, you name it, and always encouraged me with my
art when I was a child. My sister, however, is a full-blown academic
and holds a doctorate,. So make of the gene theory, what you will.'
'I have memories of being asked to produce 'art' of some description
as far back as infant school, making sets for school plays and
Christmas decorations, that sort of thing. As far as I can remember,
art has always been a big part of my life, and hopefully always will.'
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