I am pleased to announce that my new animation ‘In the Balance’ was selected for the Royal Scottish Academy annual exhibition 3 May-8 June. This animation is based on my recent painting ‘In the Balance’ which was shortlisted for the BEEP painting prize. The image was inspired by a film still from Arthur Van Gehuchten who was a Belgian neurologist. He used unconventional methods of filming his clients to study movement in neurological conditions.

In this animation the couple begin by sitting close to each other and the man gradually moves away. When they break contact the wooden plank collapses. Then the woman slides down to be reunited with man on the ground. It is an allegory of our need for others and human contact. It was recently screened in an exhibition ‘All About Love’ at Sanctuary Off 54 in North Carolina and in the Paper Works Biennial at the RWA.

I am very pleased that my new animation ‘In the Balance’ was selected for the Royal West of England Paper Works exhibition. This animation is based on my recent painting ‘In the Balance’ which was shortlisted for the BEEP painting prize. The image was inspired by a film still of Arthur Van Gehuchten who was a Belgian neurologist. He used unconventional methods of filming his clients to study movement in neurological conditions. I was interested to portray what I imagined might have happened before and after the still image.  In this animation the couple begin by sitting close to each other and the man gradually moves away. When they break contact the wooden plank collapses and the woman slides down to be reunited with man on the ground. It is an allegory of our need for others and human contact. The exhibition is on from the 25th January-27th April.

I am delighted to be one of the invited artists in the Jack House Gallery Art Advent Calendar in Portsmouth. Pictured here is ‘Death and the Maiden’ monoprint 25x25cm. Twenty five artworks by individual artists will be revealed on a daily basis on the gallery website and in the Gallery window. The theme for the calendar this year is Time. My work sometimes reflects upon the fragility of life and human existence. The maiden in this print is dancing with a figure of her own mortality. The exhibition runs between 1st-25th December.

Beep Painting Biennial

On the theme of a Beetle’s song title ‘I won’t stay in a world without love’ I am proud to announce that I am one of the top 40 artists selected for this years’ Painting Prize exhibition at the Elysium Gallery Swansea. The exhibition runs 9 November-21 December.

My painting ‘In the Balance’ oil on canvas 100x153cm is about our need for others and human contact. In the painting a couple are reaching out to each other to offer support. But they are in precarious circumstances balancing on a plank. If they let go it could lead to collapse. The strengthening clasped hands are based on the Claddagh ring which is a symbol of everlasting love and friendship. The image was inspired by a film still from Arthur Van Gehuchten who was a Belgian neurologist who used unconventional methods of filming his clients to study movement in neurological conditions.

International Original Print Exhibition Bankside Gallery

I am happy to announce that Dante’s Inferno picture scroll was selected for The International Original Print exhibition at Bankside Gallery along with The Debutante solar etching. The exhibition runs from November 7-17^th 11-6pm I am very excited to take these 2 prints to London where I hope more people will have a chance to see them.

Pictured here is the Debutante which is inspired by a short story by Leonora Carrington. A girl made friends with a hyena in the zoo. The hyena agreed to take her place at the Debutante ball. In this macabre tale the hyena takes the face off the maid to wear as a disguise. What could possibly go wrong?

Drawing the Night In at The Young Gallery, Salisbury 24 October- 4 January Monday –Saturday 10-5pm

‘As the hour changes and the autumn light gives way to darkness, six artists come together to mark the drawing in of the night. Their diverse and seductive interpretations, united by the subject of night’s blackness and quiet shadows, explore and reveal the idiosyncrasies, subtleties, and truths of the dark hours. Engaging with the Young Gallery’s permanent collection, while offering their own individual interpretations, the artists invite the viewer to reflect on their own private experience of night.’

Pictured here is my painting Sleepwalker. A girl descends the stairs in stardust. During covid lockdown sleep patterns changed for some people. I started painting in different areas of the house. I made this painting of a sleepwalker descending the stairs in a trance. I was reminded of sleepwalking down the stairs as a child. I recalled waiting for the sandman to sprinkle sleep dust to send me sweet dreams. The drawing is by Susan Francis.