My Goals Beyond Painting

This is part of a series of works inspired by music. Jazz guitarist John McLaughlin’s ‘My Goals Beyond’ is the inspiration for this particular painting. The aim of this series isn’t to think too much about the title, the musician’s background or the cover art but instead to paint the feeling the music evokes. The music falls into two loose style - the first side (yes it was released back in the days of a Side one and a Side two) is indo-jazz fusion while on the second side he plays shorter, double-tracked duets with himself. In response to this there are two areas of colour with asemic, calligraphic-like marks flickering between them. The shapes are purposely abstract to invite personal reflection. I like the idea that it could be looking at a fantasy land, or maybe a map of a small area or perhaps something under a microscope but ultimately it makes me look within myself. All of my work is inspired by nature and natural lighting effects therefore even in a pure abstract piece such as this the shapes and colours of nature are present. The medium is unusual for me. It is watercolour applied thinly on canvas with subsequent layers of white acrylic and then further thin watercolour washes over the dry acrylic areas. The combination allows for subtle variations of colour with occasional impasto areas and flickers of asemic, calligraphic-like marks. My main references for this series are Monet and Turner's later more abstract works. I consider both artists to be the pinnacle of capturing mood in a landscape and natural lighting effects. Zao Wou-Ki's abstract landscapes made from calligraphic marks are also a large influence on my work. I think of my work as a dreamscape, something internal, elusive, spiritual. I hope the viewer feels a sense of the excitement and flow of the music.