Open Heart Painting

I am fascinated with creating moods using subtle colours, tones and symbolism. I try to capture the essence of a subject by fusing abstraction and realism. My subjects are diverse, I always love the challenge of painting the human form, and am drawn to capturing the innate characteristics of different animals. I've always loved painting gritty industrial landscapes and cityscapes. The way I paint tends to change depending on the subject. I sometimes build up very thick layers, mixing the colours directly on the canvas. Other times I use fluid paint, pouring and splashing. Layers of texture such as newsprint, leaves, and fabric can also help to tell a story.