“What you looking at?….”

 A sigh of relief as the painting is finally complete.

Its been an eventful journey, one that has taken me through a range of emotions that I didn’t think possible whilst “simply painting”. I have certainly learnt a lot from painting in oils, it is such a beautiful medium to work with; both in its original and diluted form it has a rich buttery texture which is a delight to blend. Drying time however is another matter, my style lends itself to “glazing”, this is a technique where the pigment is diluted with turpentine and the fresh colour applied on top of a dried earlier layer. Each “layer” of colour allowing the one beneath it to “come through”; this technique is time consuming and requires patience though the effects are well worth the effort. its opaqueness is both a delight and a frustration. I discovered that the earthy pigments dry quicker than the dark greys; something I hadn’t allowed for with the cow on the left of the painting. Still, some fourteen months later I am pleased with the outcome. There have been times when I had to walk away, frustrated with certain elements of the painting, yet with a fresh pair of eyes a few days later the challenge became exciting once more. A particularly difficult challenge were the eyes on the “black cow”, originally their positioning and shape just didn’t work. My wife Mel, who is both my greatest fan and critic came in one evening and looking at it said “those eyes don’t look right”, she was of course correct and so I spent several days researching and sketching until I found “the look” that I was after.

I was like a child seeing something new for this first time when I finally applied the varnish, opting for a gloss finish, the layers of colour I had persevered with over the months “popped” and came alive. Whilst this is nothing new to me I cant help but be excited at this precise moment, its almost as if this clear, silky substance is the “elixir of life”.  Excitedly I called Mel to watch, as I applied the first coat of varnish over the eyes and coat of the cows…….she was astonished to see them “come to life”, a big beaming smile formed on her face and I was excitedly transported back to my inner child like self, applying the varnish with vigour and care, chatting excitingly.

Fingers burnt….a darker side of life.

The next in my series of paintings on the darker side of human existence; “Fingers burnt” is she really attainable to this pack of lusting misfits? Look carefully and you decide…….

People are a constant source of fascination for me, each person we see has a world as individual to them as you and me.  Yet how easy it is for us all to go about our daily lives, wrapped up in our own little world without a thought about how our actions can potentially impact on others. I am forever watching people around me, not simply studying their faces but the way in which they stand and move, their interaction with others. Each movement and glance giving a clue to what they are thinking and feeling.  The real “story teller” for me though are peoples eyes, look and “see” what they see; take a glance into their world as I do when I look into a persons eyes……..for sure they are the “gateway” into their soul and “some” you will wish you never had entered!

Its useful at times to have several pieces of work on the go, switching from one to another when ideas begin to dry-up it provides new energy into my work. My major project for the past 14-months has been the Highland Cows piece, between “glazes” I have found life in creating a number of fun “new pieces”. Characters, that seem to flow from deep within my imagination appear on the paper before me, I love this type of creation. Despite an element of darkness I hope you enjoy the fun side.

Part of a new series of paintings based around the early years of Black Country Gangster lifestyle