Ghats of Benaras Painting

I am Yorkshire based artist and mainly paint in water colours, oil pastels and acrylics. My work is inspired by my life on Yorkshire coast. As an artist who is fascinated by the play of light and shade along Yorkshire coast during different times in a day, my aim is to create ethereal landscapes that blur the line between reality and fantasy. My intent is to evoke a sense of wonder and to encourage others to grasp the visual beauty of the landscape around them in new and different ways. Thus, I use bold brushstrokes to subtle layering, to create depth and evoke emotion in my paintings. I use colours to reflect the purity of the landscape and a sense of order against the unpredictability and lurking chaos of the outside world with abstract shapes and lines. I believe that getting outside and close to the sea is good for the soul. Through my artwork, I try to bring the outside in. While I make no attempt to portray actual plants or animals, I do want my paintings to look like they have a narrative to convey about Yorkshire as I see it. My work is influenced by impressionist painters who have depicted York-shire coast such as Susan Issac and David Hockney as well as my own experiences exploring the outdoors. I work in mixed media using sand, oil pastels, ink, gouache and gesso to create different textures and meanings in my paintings. My artistic philosophy is rooted in capturing the essence of nature’s fleeting moments, drawing attention to the way light, shadow, and colour interact to create a sense of harmony. Looking past the obvious, close observation and engagement with subtleties of the landscape defines my artistic vision and ethos. The challenge is to see beyond the distraction of the conspicuous to capture its unique self. Thus, some of my works are quite specific, others less so. My goal is to inspire those who see my work to look more carefully at the world around them, to uncover beauty and unusual colours in places they visit. I create paintings from the simple act of looking and reflecting on the beauty and presence of the things I see. I am particularly absorbed by the way light affects ordinary objects. For instance, what captures my attention is the way late afternoon sun abstracts waves, boats, cottages, flowers and the grass transforming them into beautiful shapes. Thus, in painting these objects again and again I am inviting you to see the intricate shapes they assume and varied experiences they offer.