"Topaz" Painting

I was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. I studied Illustration and Printmaking at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee.At that time, my work was very detailed and mainly from direct observation due to the traditional training we received at Dundee. I Illustrated a number of books on a free lance basis and then trained as a teacher of Art and Design in order to make a living. I worked in Scottish high schools until a few years ago, while at the same time I continued to draw and paint. Now I spend more time painting as well as helping to run the family business. My work has changed radically from linear detail to larger expressive colour to thin layers in subtle oils. Figurative work in the form of drawing and life painting interests me as well as landscape and seascape. History of Art has been a brilliant learning tool for me. I try to absorb techniques and find it constantly engaging to aim toward finding my own style.
Visiting all the major galleries in Europe, I have been influenced by a wide range of artists. From Egon Shiele, Picasso, Bonnard, Matisse, Sorolla, Lucien Freud, Diebenkorn, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, the list is endless but each of them have had an impact on the way I see and the way I paint. I draw and paint from life but I see things which a photo doesn’t. Drawing gives me an understanding of how things work, then I decide what to include and also to leave out. It’s a process of elimination and addition which moves everything along until a conclusion is reached. One I’m happy with.