Artist statement
The landscapes of mountains, rock and ice provide endless inspiration for my work. I try to find ways to express the deep awe and wonder of wild spaces, through paint, print and artists’ books. In my work I like to play with ideas of time, space, and scale, working on both small handheld objects, designed to be touched and felt, or large luminous paintings.
Extended Bio
I am an artist inspired by wild places and big adventures
Originally a Fine Art graduate, from Camberwell School of Art in London, but smitten by the climbing bug I subsequently spent my career as a climber, mountaineer, guide and environmentalist. During this time, I was privileged to work in some of the most beautiful, remote and inspiring mountain ranges in the world.
Now returned to the art world, I try to find ways to express that deep awe and wonder found in our wild and beautiful places, through paint, print and artists’ books.
The landscapes of mountains, rock and ice provide an endless source of inspiration for my work.
Journeying is a big part of my practice. I have had the privilege of spending many months at a time living on the ice, crossing ice caps, or camping at high altitude whilst traversing remote mountain ranges. Many of my pieces describe not just a single moment but the experience of travelling through land, time and space.
I like to immerse myself in a place before I start a piece of work, I walk it, touch it, smell it, sit in it, get to know its tiniest details, and experience its grandeur.
I am fascinated by the way that a mountainside can seem, both intimate and cosy, and yet at the same time vast, infinite and awesome. In my work I like to play with ideas of time, space, and scale, sometimes working on small handheld objects, designed to be touched and felt, and sometimes creating large luminous paintings.
Living in the Northeast of Scotland with the Cairngorm mountains on my doorstep, rock, ice, wind and weather, are part of my daily experiences. All my work starts with time spent out running, climbing or skiing in the mountains. I carry with me a small sketchbook and a selection of drawing materials and can often be found tucked behind a boulder attempting to capture the moment. Back in the studio, I work in a variety of media, trying best to find the most appropriate response to the landscapes and habitats experienced.
Many of the landscapes and environments I have experienced on my travels are changing rapidly and, in my work, I hope to enable others to witness and understand the impacts of our lives and lifestyles on this, our one and only planet.
