Artist Des RCA, NDD
Born Co. Durham, 1938

ARTIST STATEMENT

Forty years experience as illustrator, painter, teacher and student of philosophy has prepared a firm basis for artistic expressionism or experiment.

Familiar work by the French impressionists and English watercolourist, J.M.W. Turner continues to inspire.

An invitation in 2004 to prepare a series of watercolours featuring the City of London including the reflective qualities offered by the River Thames resulted in a one man show at the Bankside Gallery (headquarters of the Royal Watercolour Society): titled the "Spirit of London", the theme continues; Arts for Health based in Manchester commissioned two panels 2 metres by 1 metre depicting the river flowing east-west near the site of the recently opened Queen Mary's Hospital at Roehampton - the aim to inform and delight patients on the road to recovery.

Currently a series of City panoramas are underway from a 40-storey high vantage point within the Canary Wharf complex. The first in the series viewed from the top of St. Paul's Cathedral is featured in this site.

Visits to riverside locations armed with camera and sketchbook link one historically speaking to Monet, Whistler and Turner. Questions arise. What motivates or inspires, how best to interpret things seen, which colours to use, what techniques of application etc. All the questions one might ask about why Turner's river studies remain deliciously fresh and vibrant to this day.

Such magic moments source continuous effort towards an awakening to what in reality is truly presented by constant reference to the physical world.

This aim or spirit of enquiry provides the philosophical link.