I collect everything that seems of value or might eventually be needed – doesn’t everybody” 

Hannah Hoch.

I definitely come from the school of Hannah Hoch.  I collect tangible and visual images and text. My mind is awash with images seen on long walks, sails and adventures both home and abroad.  Boxes of paper images topple in my studio, shelves are packed with memorabilia.  I’m very nostalgic and sentimental.  

Play and having fun are paramount when I start a new series of paintings.  I work on at least 4 at a time initially using a limited palette of colours. Numerous layers of media, (acrylic paint, crayons, oil pastels, charcoal, nail varnish etc) and occasionally collage are build up and scratched, sanded and drawn into.  Eventually an image or a feeling of one begins to appear amongst the mark making.  The painting becomes less erratic and finer details are added to enhance the emerging imagery.  

The colour palette also changes to emphasis the intention. The design and the value on the painting are paramount.  Enabling the viewer to see the whole image as one on first viewing and then finer detail on closer inspection. 

“When is a painting finished? When you get a thing the way you want it, leave it alone”. (Winston Churchill)