I have a huge connection to my work. I want the owners and viewers of my work to experience the same emotional attachment that I feel, and for my paintings to be seen as companions to their owners. My works are filled with layers and layers of paint, applied on the surface, like skin. My canvases have many stories attached underneath, if one was able to lift off each layer of paint; they would discover many stories, paths and images with each coating taken off. Each single work is in actuality a depiction of many different images, despite what the naked eye sees. Some of my works have been in the stages of completion for five years; I like to nurture each painting until it is ready to be seen by an audience. One could metaphorically pull off each layer and uncover a completely different story or image underneath.
Colour and paint plays a huge importance in my work. I want each of my paintings to take on a heartbeat, a life form of their own. The use of colour makes this possible, as does the layers and layers of paint applied to each canvas. I aim to paint so that if a blind person wanted to ‘see’ my work, they could. The pieces are 3-D paintings, tactile images influenced by my use of paint.
I am interested by nature and how this serves as a metaphor for human life. Natural forces fighting against each other, arguments and reconciliations between trees and flowers. There are so many similarities between man and nature, often we lose sight of this- I aim to illustrate this, and discover how much we are personally like nature as I continue to develop. Our environment and our ecosystem affect us, as well, nature serves as symbolism to man’s relationship with one another. Trees spend years growing, some grow towards each other, and others move away. If you watch closely, you can discover social groups in Mother Nature; animals compete for land to inhabit; home, food, shelter. I aim to illustrate the ties between humans’ fight for independence and natures’ fight in my paintings. The sea and natural disasters are of huge interest to me, and has been the subject of many of my works. I have studied the sea through my work with great fervour and interest. Its’ behaviour is forever fascinating, and beautiful. Waves can be peaceful and angry, they have the possibility to destroy and encase the sea or ocean with massive gusto and gestures. However, they can also be incredibly peaceful. I am fascinated by their ability to change their movements in an instant. The sea, tornados, the wind’s personality all mimics how humans act in life; personalities can change instantaneously. The sea is astonishing to look at, yet has the ability to produce devastating results. I like things that can be out of control, unpredictable. Waves have strains of aggression and authority.
Whenever I run my eyes through a painting I try and see the sculptural aspects in each work promoted by the thickness of the paint. My aim is to make the viewer become encompassed by the work. I want my work to be viewed as if in constant motion, not to be seen as a still image, always moving, creating a platform for a narrative.