"Inspired by 30 years living and working on the Northumberland coast and now in the wilds of Redesdale near the Scottish Borders, I am fascinated by patterns of sand on beach, piles of seaweed or driftwood, order and chaos together. The images I create use a wide range of materials: sand, soil, coal dust or driftwood are often embedded in the paint surface (Antonio Tapies has been a favourite for a long time). I want paintings to be as natural as possible. I rarely use a brush but fingers, knife, trowel, sand, spray paints plus lots of builder's materials are employed to create impasto surfaces. At the moment I am experimenting with holographic foils to simulate the wonderful light in Northumberland.
Since moving to Redesdale I have been inspired by and become aware of the interaction of man and nature: in the Otterburn Ranges military roads, bunkers and old tanks contrast with crags, quarries, moorland and forest to create a wonderful tapestry at different times of the year. Rock strata, strange cloud formations, moody sunsets, reflections in rivers and lakes have me rushing for sketch book and camera. 'The Land of Far Horizons' Northumberland has light that enhances the tactile quality of the landscape no matter what season it is. I hope my work stimulates a wide range of perceptions and feelings for this beautiful region. Artists whom I admire and who have influenced me include Turner, John Blockley, Andy Goldsworthy, Cezanne and Tapies."
Solo exhibitions
2004 Mixed Media Paintings & Prints, The Gallery, Village Bakery, Melmerby, Cumbria
2004 Rhythms & Textures of Northumberland, Duchess Gallery, Kielder Castle
2004 Rhythms & Textures of Northumberland, Bondgate Gallery, Alnwick
2005 Rhythms & Textures of Northumberland, Coningsby Gallery, London
2005 Mixed Media Paintings, Calder Gallery, Hebden Bridge
2005 Mixed Media Paintings, Theatre Gallery, Queens Hall Arts Centre, Hexham
2005 Rhythms and Textures of Northumberland, Gossipgate Gallery, Alston
2006 Mixed Media Landscapes, Gossipgate Gallery, Alston
2006 Seascapes/Landscapes of Northumberland (with Mick Oxley), Calder Gallery, Hebden Bridge
Selected group exhibitions
2004 Beyond Words, Hatton Gallery, University of Newcastle
2005 Invited Artists, Biscuit Factory, Newcastle
2005 Invited Artists, Walker Contemporary Fine Art Gallery, Harrogate
2005 Karen Taylor Fine Art Gallery, Twickenham, London
2005 Summer Exhibition, John Green Fine Art Gallery, Glasgow
2006 Invited Artists, Marziart Galerie, Hamburg
2006 Palm Art Award Exhibition, Art-Domain Gallery, Leipzig
2006 Ickenox Contemporary Art Fair, London
2006 "Just Paint" Prizewinners' Exhibition, Artrom, Rome
Educational experience
1970-88 Head of Art/Design Dept., Hylton Redhose School, Sunderland
1988-96 Lecturer in Charge Art & Design, Wearside FE College, Sunderland
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