YOU AND ME Painting

For three decades, no matter how big or small the brief, I have always started the creative process with a blank sheet of paper and a pencil. Searching for a way to engage with your audience is often chaotic, but the moment you scribble an idea that solves the brief, you know it. That can be a single word, sentence, phrase or sketch – just enough to prompt your mind’s eye to see what it can be, when nurtured to its full potential. This is the essence of my paintings, letting those initial ‘sparks’ take centre stage in their unvarnished form. Most of the ideas on that page will go no further, but some speak to you – they resonate. It’s like hearing your name or birthdate used in a song, a film, or written in a book. They break into your subconscious, they’re a smile in the mind, just for you. Inspired by a variety of sources, including personal experiences, observations, conversations, reading, or brainstorming, I ensure my paintings remain as fundamental as possible by limiting myself to two brushes, black ink and white paper. Stripped of all unnecessary excesses, including time, they are candid and direct. They demand to be read, if only then to be forgotten, or hopefully, ignite a spark on someone else’s blank sheet of paper. All of my paintings are ‘one of one’ and use the same paper, ink and frame. I use black Bokueki Japanese calligraphy ink on 300gsm Fabriano bianco 50cm x 70cm watercolour paper which is FSC approved. The frame is 74.5cm x 54.5cm x 1.5cm white MDF wood moulding, with an MDF backboard with portrait and landscape metal hangers. Glazed with lightweight shatterproof acrylic perspex. Made with environmentally friendly materials which are 100% recyclable. Total hanging weight 1.85kg. No wall fixings are included.