A selection of paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures
About the artist
For many years I have come to think of my work in one sense as a pictorial autobiography, perhaps more simply, a story of my early childhood years. These few years, which even now seems like a lifetime were clearly dominated by Parents, siblings, school and church. In calling to mind those days now, that small, overcrowded 'two up two down' terraced house also played a huge part in my work.
I was a twin (a family of seven children) born in 1942 of working class parents, in Ladysmith road, Brighton, Sussex. At school I loved to draw as did Dad and particularly my eldest brother. More importantly I grew to revere their natural aptitude for making, which eventually became part of my own life.
After retiring from a life spent as a qualified surveyor in the construction industry, I applied and was accepted for a Fine Arts Degree course.
In 2002 I graduated from art school with honours and took this passion for drawing and painting to the west coast of France, where I exhibited my work until the end of 2014 - whilst there I continued to occasionally exhibit in England. At the beginning of 2015 we were inevitably drawn back to England, to spend more time with our family and grandchildren, eventually settling in Winchcombe, Gloucs.
Having spent the last few years refurbishing our home I now feel ready to rekindle my passion, to make work.
About the work
The paintings, drawings and prints which follow are a substantial part of my work, drawing on the period of my childhood during the post war years. My work is the consequence of lasting memories of that time, illuminated by my family's recollections. The unfolding visual language and narrative of the work, echoes the range of emotions experienced through reliving my childhood.
Many of the paintings are peopled with family members and set alongside the paintings of larger scenes, are works which simply speak of walls, rooms and everyday objects within , all seeming to enjoy their own authority:
The scullery, damp larder and drain rods
Teddy bears and parachutes
A suitcase hidden behind a sage green door
Cotton reel tanks
Baked bean cans and string
Mum's bucket and the unshod shoes
Hopscotch and still waiting for the winkleman
Stiff collars, studs
Knotted ties and shiny brown brogues
Jacob's ladder
Bare stairs
Chimney pots and piers
The silent clock and chairs with paper candles
Mum's pinafore
Black cat fags
Her eau de nil crocks and vim
the list is endless…but let's not forget the jack a jug and chad.
Whilst in France I spent time trying to bring together the flat illusory plane and real space, of life-size figures of my parents in a three dimensional form in the manner of papier mâché. Linking these forms with the visual language of my painting, I had hoped to address the potential to enhance the viewer's perception, pointing to a notion of theatre where single moments in time are staged.
'…perhaps work should not exist for the visual appreciation of the viewer but rather have an internal life of its own in which, we are invited to participate…' Munoz 2006
Exhibitions
2000 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition - London
2001 Chichester Open Art Exhibition - Chichester
2001 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition - London
2001 Focus - Twelve Miles West Studio, Worthing
2001 Chichester Open Art Exhibition - Chichester 2nd Prize
2001 Brothers in Diversity - Phoenix Gallery, Brighton
2001 Brighton Festival - Gallery 100, Brighton
2002 Arundel Festival - Arundel
2002 Fresh Art - Islington, London
2002 ‘ il était une fois d'enfance’ - l'office cantonal de Legé
2002 Final Degree Show - Northbrook College, Worthing
2003 Chichester Open Art Exhibition - Chichester 3rd Prize
2003 Chapelle des Visitandines (Ancien Séminaire) - Legé
2003 Art for Life - Christie's, London
2004 Site de la Cantrie - St-Fiacre sur Maine, France
2004 Out of the Open - Town Hall Worthing
2004 l'Abbatiale - St-Philbert de Grand Lieu, France
2005 l’Espace Saint-Antoine – Clisson, France
2005 The Worthing Open - Worthing
2006 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition - London
2006 Le Perrain Festival d’Artistes – Rocheserviere, France
2006 La Galerie - Rue tarte fume Pornic, France
2006 Chichester Open Art Exhibition – Chichester, France
2006 Le festival automnal - Art-sur-Maines Montaigu, France
2007 Arts Atlantiqe Espace Encan - La Rochelle, France
2007 Le Nef Théodelin – Vouvant, France
2007 ‘25 artistes pour l’espoir’ – Chantonnay, France
2007 Marché Peinturlure - Poiré-sur-Vie, France
2008 ‘Art in Mind’ The Brick Lane Gallery – London
2009 XXV Salon d'Automne, Carquefou, France
2009 25 Artistes pour l'Espoir, Chantonnay, France
2010 'once upon a childhood' St Hilaire de Riez, France
2010 Salon Gravure et Oeuvres Papier, Nantes, France
2010 25 Artistes pour l'Espoir, Les Sorinieres, France
2011 Genty Fine Art, London
2011 Vibe Gallery, London
2012 L'Invite d''honneur 19eme Salon de Peintre, Les Sorinieres, France
2013 L'Invite d''honneur 28eme Salon de Peintre, St Gemmes- Sur-Loire, France
2013 'victoria sponge and strawberry jam' Deerhurst Priory, Deerhurst
2014 25 Artistes pour l'Espoir, Moullieron le Captif, France
2014 25 Artistes pour l'Espoir, Chantonnay, France
2017 Winds of Change Art Gallery - Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
2018 Winchcombe Art Trail – Gloucestershire
2022 Winchcombe Art Trail, North Street - Gloucestershire
2023 Winchcombe Art Trail, Guide hall - Gloucestershire
Sales
Paintings
Apart from the title, the medium, support and the approximate size and date are given alongside each image. In addition, a note has been made where certain original paintings, which are framed (unless otherwise stated) are for sale. The price excludes packaging and delivery costs. However, you may wish to organise the collection or delivery yourselves. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to 'get in touch' on the main page.
In the event of dissatisfaction with the purchase, a full refund of the price paid for
the painting will be given within 14 days following its safe return.
High definition prints
Again, alongside many of the painting images you will see 'a3 high definition print' in a limited series which you can purchase, subject to availability. The images are currently in full colour giclée on a3+ Innova Décor Art 210gsm or on Epsom Archival Matte. The size of the paper 483 x 329mm wide, large enough to accommodate the varying image sizes. When we do sell mounted images, the mount and backing board is an Ivory Studland and cut to suit a standard 50 x 40 frame. The price for each is £45 and the cost of posting in the UK mainland (in an artist tube or the like) is an additional £9, a total of £54. Before ordering it is advisable to ensure any particular print is in fact available so please 'get in touch' If the print is not available, you can order a print, which will take between 7 and 14 days.
Mounted prints (subject to availability) are £60 each, collected direct from the artist.
Spit and polish series and small studies
As of yet prints are unavailable for these images.
Mixed media
A new series of art works under the heading ‘once upon a childhood’ Each numbered and titled piece is set in a 32 x 32cm o/a shadow box frame.
£195 each excluding postage and packaging