Whilst I very occasionally delve into the land of portraiture I profess to being a rare visitor. It is something that whilst enjoyable in its own right, does not give me quite the same enjoyment and fulfilment as do other subjects. Nevertheless I do, from time to time, ‘dip my toe’ into the subject.

Of late I have experimented with somewhat contemporary and what I would describe as a more loose, slightly abstract form of Art. In particular I have been investigating the impact of light upon large expanses of land and sea and the myriad effects that are created.

I recently visited the Tate Britain Gallery in London where they hold the largest display of paintings by one of my favourite Artists namely JMW Turner. His unique brushwork and use of colour highlights his skies and landscapes, something that I would dearly like to emulate in my own style.

This is and probably will always be my favourite subject whether using watercolour, acrylics or some other media. I love to create depth and distance by using the properties of air and natural light. One can seek to create so many emotions in the artwork. Perhaps this might be the tranquillity of rivers and lakes, the anger of stormy seas, the grandeur of rugged mountains and the magic of sunlight streaming through the foliage of trees in a forest.

Although I enjoy painting in my studio, there is nothing better than painting outdoors on location. Being at one with the Landscape is immensely satisfying.

My first significant painting was of course when I was a young child at Primary school, namely an oil painting of a vase of Irises. Since then I have regularly painted flowers and fauna but also other subjects such as food, bottles of wine, stone, containers, sea shells and of course animals, although the latter do not always remain ‘still’.

The term ‘Still Life’ comes from the Dutch word ‘Stilleven’, which dates back to the early 17th Century. It especially represents an interest in science and the natural world and can be quite symbolic. For example Flowers can each have their own meaning. The Rose represents Love, the Lily- Purity, the Sunflower- Devotion. All in all a fascinating subject and very enjoyable to paint!