#20: Not Always About Art: The Unlikely Inspirations Behind My Work
Inspiration doesn’t always come from a gallery. Lately, mine’s come from comedy podcasts, nostalgic indie tracks, and an unforgettable Flat Moon gig involving a theremin and a gold telephone. Here's how these unexpected influences are sneaking into my paintings.
Life Leaks In: How the Rest of My World Shapes My Work
I used to think the studio was a space apart from everything else—but life has a way of leaking in. In this blog post, I reflect on how moods, moments, and the everyday shape my process as a painter, sometimes in quiet ways, sometimes not so quietly at all.
Thinking Bigger: What I’ve Learned from Larger Canvases
Lately, I’ve started working on larger canvases—and it’s changed everything. Not just how I paint, but how I move, think, and relate to the people in my paintings. It’s a shift in scale that’s opened up a new kind of presence in the work.
The Urge to Hurry vs. the Need to Slow Down
Impatience is a constant companion in the studio—but the work never rushes just because I want it to. In this post, I explore the tension between urgency and patience in my creative process, and how some of my best breakthroughs come not in the act of painting, but in the pause that follows.
What Makes a Face Paintable? A Portrait Artist's Reflection
Not every face wants to be painted. In this post, I reflect on what draws me to certain people—not because of how they look, but because of what they hold. It's not about features. It's about presence.
The Challenges of Reaching Out to Well-Known Figures for Portraits: A Reflection
Reaching out to well-known individuals to be part of my portrait work has been one of the most unexpectedly emotional parts of my creative practice. What began as an exciting idea—connecting with people whose faces are recognized by many—quickly turned into a lesson in patience, vulnerability, and persistence. In this reflective piece, I share the unseen challenges behind every carefully written message, the silence that often follows, and the resilience it takes to keep asking anyway. It's not just about creating art—it's about navigating the invisible barriers that surround it.
From Subject to Self: A Walk Through the National Portrait Gallery
A recent visit to the National Portrait Gallery left me thinking about how portraiture has shifted over time—from being all about the sitter, to becoming a reflection of the artist. In this post, I explore that transformation, and where my own work fits into the story.
The Art I Want to See in the World
The art I’m drawn to doesn’t shout—it lingers. It doesn’t chase perfection, but presence. In this post, I explore the kind of art I long to see more of in the world, and how that vision guides the work I make.
Quiet Moments: The Role of Stillness in My Creative Process
There’s a kind of silence I’ve come to trust. Not the awkward silence we try to fill in conversation, or the kind of stillness that feels stagnant—but a living, breathing pause. It’s subtle, but powerful. In those moments where nothing is demanding my attention, I start to hear something truer. That’s often where the art begins.
Creating art: In this economy?!
In a world driven by fast-paced consumerism and constant change, creating art can feel like a challenge. In this blog post, I explore how I navigate the pressures of today’s economy, focusing on authenticity, meaningful connections, and the value of creating art that truly matters.
The Journey of Sharing My Art: My Experience at Holmfirth Artweek
As an artist, the act of creating is an intimate and personal experience. The joy of expressing emotions, thoughts, and stories through my work is unmatched. But there is something uniquely rewarding about sharing that creation with the world. One of the most significant moments in my artistic journey was participating in Holmfirth Artweek 2024—my first exhibition. It marked a pivotal moment where my work moved from my studio and into a shared space, connecting me with a wider audience and sparking new conversations around my art.
Why I Paint People: The Connection Between Art and Humanity
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to people—their faces, their gestures, the way emotions flicker across their expressions. Even before I fully embraced figurative painting, my work often revolved around the eye, that single, intimate detail that holds so much depth. But now, as I step deeper into colour and explore the human figure more fully, I find myself asking: why do I paint people?
The Emotional Palette: How Colours Influence Feelings in My Art
For a long time, my work existed in black and white. Stripped of colour, it was all about contrast, form, and texture—letting light and shadow do the storytelling. There was a purity to it, a directness that I loved. But recently, I felt something shifting. A pull towards something richer, something more layered. So, I made a change.
I started working with colour.
At first, it felt like learning a new language—exciting but uncertain. Colour is an entirely different way of thinking, a different way of seeing. Where black and white allowed me to focus on stark, bold compositions, colour introduced a new dimension of emotion and energy. Suddenly, my work wasn’t just about what was being depicted, but how it felt, how it moved, how it resonated through shades and tones.
The Art of Repetition: Why Doing the Same Thing Over and Over Fuels Creativity
Repetition gets a bad reputation. It’s often associated with monotony, stagnation, and a lack of originality. But in art, repetition isn’t a trap—it’s a tool.
Repetition is how we refine skills, develop style, and discover deeper meaning in our work. It’s how artists evolve, musicians master their craft, and writers find their voice. Instead of resisting it, embracing repetition can be one of the most powerful things you do for your creativity.
How to Find Your Artistic Voice (When Everything Feels Done Before)
Ever sat down to create something and thought, What’s the point? Someone else has already done this—probably better, probably with more skill, more recognition, more originality. That little voice in your head whispers: Your work isn’t unique. Your ideas aren’t new. You’re just repeating what’s already out there.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
In a world flooded with content, finding your artistic voice can feel impossible. But here’s the truth: Your voice isn’t about being first. It’s about being you.
Dancing with Time: The Artist’s Most Elusive Medium
Time. It slips through fingers like water, resists capture, and mocks even the most careful plans. For artists, time is more than just a background hum — it’s an invisible collaborator, a constant tension, a onlooker breathing over the shoulder of every creative act. The artist’s process is not only about pencils, paint or clay. It’s also about wrestling with time itself.