Between... Painting

Between… oil on canvas 600mm diameter (round) 2019/2022 Like most of my work, nature is the main inspiration for this piece. I’m fascinated by the play of light through mist. I wanted to capture these light effects and the mood of a misty morning walk in a forest. I paint in the studio mostly from memory with only occasional reference to my sketches and photos. Working this way allows me to break free from making a more representational image. It is not about a specific place or plant or landscape. It is more of an expression of how I feel about the place and probably says more about my own internal journey than a particular subject. Oil paint is applied in many thin glazes over a wooden panel. The glazes of oil paint create a translucent surface revealing subtle colour variations with prolonged viewing. There is also some spray painting in the under layers. There are also asemic, calligraphic-like marks inspired by the flutter and flash of insects caught in misty morning light. These quick, intuitive marks also represent for me the flow of energy in the universe. The title was inspired by a quote from a poem by Kahlil Gilbran: “Between what is said and not meant, And what is meant and not said, Most love is lost.” The full quote is painted on the reverse in ink. My main artistic inspiration is the work of JMW Turner. Monet, Bosch, Chinese ink painting, Buddhist art are all influences. I also take ideas from Art Nouveau, Surrealism and fantasy art. Contemporary artists Chu Te Chun, Zao Wou-Ki, Chris Rivers, Darren Waterston and Cruz Jimenez all inform my work. I hope the viewer finds a sense of both peace and movement.