#41: Trusting the Experiments
Before a painting exists, there’s a lot of invisible work — the quiet stage of testing and failing. In this post, I share how I’m using a sacrificial Perspex sheet to experiment with paints and varnishes for my moiré project, and why these unseen steps are vital to inventing a new process.
#29: Wrapped, Ready, and Real: Varnishing and Preparing for Holmfirth Artweek
This week in the studio has been all about the final layer — varnish. As I get ready for Holmfirth Artweek, I’ve been experimenting with matt and gloss finishes to give each painting its own distinct voice. This post is about that final act of care — and what it means to let the work go.
#24: Sealing the Story: Finding the Right Varnish for Each Painting
As I finish my latest paintings for the art show, I’m realising how much those final layers of varnish matter — not just for protection, but for mood, presence, and the quiet dignity of letting the work stand on its own.
#22: The Space Around the Painting: Why the Studio Matters
The studio doesn’t just contain the work — it shapes it. In this post, I reflect on the mood, movement, and small rituals of my workspace, and how the space around the canvas quietly becomes part of the painting itself.
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.