Artistic Background
I am a self-taught artist currently based in Scotland. I have been actively practicing and exhibiting my art for the last ten years. The majority of my artwork is inspired from both my childhood home of New Zealand and from the United Kingdom landscape. Landscape and map scenes form the majority of my artwork.
I have two main domains for my artistic practice: drawing and painting. I use a range of mediums (often in conjunction), such as tea leaves, tapa cloth, wine, oils, acrylics, graphite, charcoal, indian ink and pen.
Find me on Saatchi Art
Inspiration
When I consider my focus when drawing, the majority of my work is map/cartographic based and draws upon my suburban childhood in New Zealand. I try to introduce new features or elements into each of these maps. For example, my drawings may appear to have two subject matters depending on the perspective of the observer. Casting your eye over a whole drawing, an image will emerge, slightly disjointed, and reminiscent of a never-ending maze in which no-one gets to the impenetrable finish line. Observing the drawings up close, the second subject matter rises revealing the suburban housing that constitutes each of the segments. These maps reflect suburbia with its endless streets and repetitive structure.
My methods for painting have been varied, but almost exclusively use landscape as a source of motivation. In combination, I have a focus on the way lines can be used to construct a meaningful image. This requires knowledge and experimentation with the drying process of the oil paints, which can vary by color and by room temperature. This method of painting results in a final artwork that reflects light subtly depending on where the viewer is standing and visualizing the painting.
Image from Urbans Arts Foundation
