People often ask why my paintings hold so much texture, movement and emotion.
I thought the answer would be simple, that I would know straight away, but I realise that "I don't paint what I see, I paint what I feel."
Where It Begins
Every painting begins long before the first brushstroke. It begins with emotions, experiences and moments that are often difficult to put into words. When I step into my studio, the canvas becomes the place where those feelings can finally be expressed.
For me, painting is much more than creating something beautiful. It is a way of releasing what I've been carrying inside.
The thick layers of paint, the texture, the sweeping marks and the rich colours are never accidental. They are all part of the journey. Every layer represents a feeling, a memory, a challenge or a moment of growth.
As the painting evolves, so do I.
The Language of Texture
Nature has always been my greatest inspiration. How nature makes me feel, has enabled me to put this into my art. Weathered rocks, flowing water, ancient tree bark and landscapes viewed from above all tell their own stories through texture. They remind me that nothing in nature is perfectly smooth, and perhaps we're not meant to be either.
I've realised that my paintings reflect life itself. We are all made up of layers - our experiences, our resilience, our hopes and the lessons we've learned along the way. My artwork simply gives those layers a physical form.
Creating has also become my place of freedom. On the canvas there are no expectations, no rules and no need to explain myself. It is simply a space where I can be completely honest.
An Invitation to Create
Although every painting begins with my own story, my hope is that it becomes part of someone else's.
I hope my artwork encourages people to slow down, where they notice beauty, stay curious and this allows them to trust themselves more. Perhaps this can give people an opportunity to reconnect with who they're becoming.
I've often said that, as I create more, I become more of the person I'm meant to be.
Looking back, I realise my paintings haven't only recorded that journey, but they have also helped shape it.
Perhaps that's why they hold so much texture, energy and movement and why they hold intense layered textural marks.
"They aren't simply made with paint. They're made with pieces of a life, poured onto the canvas, one layer at a time."