Wild places and elemental landscapes are the starting point for much
of my work and I am particularly drawn to coastal scenes. I find inspiration in the landscapes of East Anglia, Mediterranean
visits and sailing trips and travels in the Far East and South America. My choice of subject matter is often decided
by my emotional response to the mood and colours of the scene.
There are periods when my work is fairly abstract but when using
watercolour and pen and wash I enjoy the challenge of more careful drawing. In either case the paintings are based on
direct observation through on the spot pen and wash drawings and colour notes, often in small sketchbooks. Photos are
useful to record fleeting moments such as sunrises and sunsets where the quality of the light and the colour changes rapidly.
Back at my studio near Cambridge and away from the distractions of
the open air, I try to capture something of the original experience whilst developing a more abstract approach. In these
pictures I aim to convey a sense of the mood and atmosphere of the location.
