‘Someone, Somewhere in the Summertime’ is a body of work based on memories, feelings and experiences and inspired by the joys of summer, living in the Australian bush and longing to live by the ocean. The title of my exhibition comes from one of my favourite songs by Simple Minds from the 80’s. I remember this era fondly growing up in Scotland, not just the music but the freedom and fun of doing mostly what you wanted and going to places we loved. This song resonates with me for those reasons but also reflects the child-like joy and fascination I experience in things like flowers, wildlife, the beach, the ocean and all its coral and underwater creatures. I want my paintings to be joyful and uplifting.
I am an avid photographer and love taking photos of flowers (and basically everything) and this is an important part of my art-making process. I feel a sense of calm when I’m in nature and around flowers and I have a great appreciation of their beauty. The human relationship with flowers is deep and longstanding, their beauty has inspired every culture around the world. From the bright blossoms to the soft translucent petals, their sweet fragrance, their delicate and fleeting nature, they offer us ways to communicate emotions where words do not suffice.
I also feel a sense of calm and joy when I’m by the ocean. Coral and the underwater world gives me similar feelings, they are plants and flowers that live under the sea and give life and safe harbour to all manor of wonderful creatures. The intense colours, movement, shapes and forms are every bit as inspiring.
I find that creating each piece is therapeutic, spending lots of time walking and foraging, truly looking and being in the moment of seeing something remarkably beautiful and then turning those sights and memories into paintings.
I paint mainly in acrylics, using brushes, palette knives, sponges, fingers and basically anything I can find to get a fresh and unexpected surface. Working intuitively allows me to play, explore and discover new ways of communicating through paint.
I am an avid photographer and love taking photos of flowers (and basically everything) and this is an important part of my art-making process. I feel a sense of calm when I’m in nature and around flowers and I have a great appreciation of their beauty. The human relationship with flowers is deep and longstanding, their beauty has inspired every culture around the world. From the bright blossoms to the soft translucent petals, their sweet fragrance, their delicate and fleeting nature, they offer us ways to communicate emotions where words do not suffice.
I also feel a sense of calm and joy when I’m by the ocean. Coral and the underwater world gives me similar feelings, they are plants and flowers that live under the sea and give life and safe harbour to all manor of wonderful creatures. The intense colours, movement, shapes and forms are every bit as inspiring.
I find that creating each piece is therapeutic, spending lots of time walking and foraging, truly looking and being in the moment of seeing something remarkably beautiful and then turning those sights and memories into paintings.
I paint mainly in acrylics, using brushes, palette knives, sponges, fingers and basically anything I can find to get a fresh and unexpected surface. Working intuitively allows me to play, explore and discover new ways of communicating through paint.