ARTIST STATEMENT ​​

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I am a self taught painter and rely largely on improvisation during the painting process to develop form. I feel compelled to paint faces. The body and background are secondary. I stop painting when I can read a recognisable, fleeting emotional connection, much like we experience in life when we are concerned to observe a person’s state, even if it is just at a glance. In that moment, the background and detail of the body become secondary. The face, especially the eyes, are of paramount importance.  

 

I have been painting for around 10 years. I have moved intuitively through the painting process with my style developing naturally with techniques I instinctively, and repeatedly use. I do not plan my paintings and may do 6 or 7 faces that are immediately scraped off. I will use the remnants of the marks to inspire new paintings which may or may not work. I will often paint over it the next day or months later with bits of the original painting still visible. I can also produce a painting that I am happy with within an hour if that’s the way it goes.  The process of painting is the most important part for me, not what I end up with.  

 

I paint and draw with my left hand and pallet knife with my right. I use the fingers of both hands to paint and smudge and wipe. I use paint straight from the tube or hastily mixed with my fingers or knife on paper plates often whilst in the throws of a promising piece to maintain the energy flow. My colours are chosen in the moment and are often from the mountainous remnants from my scraping. I primarily use oil, but also Gesso, oil stick and charcoal. I like a painting to fight back.

 

I take inspiration from old black and white photos (often of people in poverty), as I feel they are more truthful when trying to read their faces. Mostly however I will start to paint a face then decide who they are.

 

Exhibitions:

2018

Royal Cambrian Academy of Art Open Exhibition (selected)(selectors award)

MOMA Machynlleth Open Exhibition (selected)

Oriel Brondanw (Helfa Gelf, selected)

The Carriageworks, Denbigh (selected)

The Museum, Llangollen (group exhibition)

2019

Royal Cambrian Academy of Art Open Exhibition (selected)

North Wales Open, Theatre Clwyd (selected)

Llangollen Pavilion (group exhibition)

Oriel Mostyn and Helfa Gelf In-Sight 18 Exhibition (selected)

2020

Royal Cambrian Academy of Art Open (selected)

Ectarc Centre Llangollen Helfa Gelf (Group Exhibition)

Oriel Brondanw Open (selected)

Ty Pawb Open (selected)

2025

Wales Contemporary 2025 (Garrison Chapel Gallery, London and TheWaterfront Gallery, Milford Haven)(Selected)

Ectarc Centre Llangollen (Group Exhibition)

The Dory Gallery, Llangollen (Group Exhibition)

Blackwater Gallery, Cardiff (Group Exhibition)