To me, art is as vital as the air I breathe. I picked up a brush before I could walk and a lifetime’s journey began.

After gaining an Art and Design ‘A’ level early at the age of 16, Ihad myheart set on a degree in Art. However, circumstances (and a lot of persuasion) saw me studying Science instead.

This diversion, however, did not prevent me from continuing my journey. I have pressed on, working independently to this day. Following a serious illness three years ago, Inow plan to devote most of my time to my art work.

My early paintings in oil were experiments in producing images which went beyond photographic realism. I tried to convey sensation, feelings and emotion through heightened colour, texture and form to create a ‘hyper-reality’. More recently, I have freed myself from the purely figurative element in my work and tried to focus more intensively on emotional content through abstraction.

To me, a 'finished' painting is just the visible end-result of a struggle to set down emotional reactions, feelings and moods. I try not to think in terms of 'abstract' or 'figurative' - the distinction between them is subjective and often blurred. Instead, I revel in using bold colour and texture as a vehicle to convey what I cannot through words. Whatever motif emerges from the fray is often a welcome by-product and takes the role of supporting actor.

I work mostly in oils and acrylics, frequently combining the two media in one work. The bold, quick-drying immediacy of acrylics is a marvellous foil for a slower, more considered approach with oils.

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