About me…
I am not a full-time artist, I do have a day job. I have worked within mental health services for 18 years and have had the opportunity to work with many amazing individuals who I have supported through some dark and challenging times. I have also been privileged to share in their accomplishments and growth. Many of these experiences influence my art work in ways that often surprise me. I find that through these moments and conversations I begin to formulate an image, an idea that gradually whirls around in my head. As time progresses I try to encapsulate the sentiment of what I am witnessing, what an individual might be going through.
Often but certainly not always that is a sense of wanting to feel safe, wanting to find ourselves again. Lighthouses are there to guide you to safety, a light when all around you is dark, a beacon that shines out for all to see, a focus.
Sheep on the other hand, as wonderful and amazing as they are, are not known for their intelligence or being the bravest of creatures: they tend to follow, often blindly. but if a sheep thought for itself how amazing would that be. How many options could suddenly open up, think of the adventures they could find themselves in.
Having lived in Sussex all my life, the South Downs and its coastline has also always been a source of inspiration to me. I particularly enjoy how moonlight changes the mood of a surrounding - offering a dream-like world to escape too and enjoy.
My style of working is based around applying inks to canvas or board via a mixture of paint brush and airbrush techniques. The airbrush gives the pictures warmth and depth. The ink blends in after each layer is applied - sometimes making up to 20 - 30 layers of ink. There is a degree of uncertainty as the layers build up, and often I am surprised by the end result. Happy accidents often happen in the creation of my work. I have learnt over the years to be disciplined when producing my art and know when to step back from the piece, sensing when the work is complete.
Stuart
