#40: When Play Becomes Purpose
My moiré portrait project started as pure experimentation — no pressure, no plan, just play. But somewhere along the way, it became something more. In this post, I reflect on how creativity often finds its purpose after you’ve already started, and why that’s exactly the kind of surprise I love.
#38: The Idea Arrives Before the Skill
Some ideas come before we’re ready to paint them — and that’s where I’m at. In this post, I reflect on the challenge and excitement of chasing a concept that feels bigger than my current technical ability, and why painting into that gap is where real growth happens.
#32: For the Wall or For Myself? Making Art with Eyes on It
As Holmfirth Artweek approaches, I’ve been thinking about the shift from making work just for myself to preparing it for public display. This post explores that balancing act — the tension between private instinct and public sharing — and why I think both sides matter.
#31: The Waiting Room: After the Hand-In, Before the Show
The paintings are in, waiting patiently to be hung for Holmfirth Artweek. With the making behind me, I’m reflecting on this in-between moment — that breath between completion and being seen — and the quiet anticipation of sharing work that feels like a real turning point.
#28: What I Bring Into the Studio (That Has Nothing to Do with Art)
I walk into the studio carrying more than just my brushes — there’s mood, memory, music, tiredness, joy. In this post, I reflect on how the invisible parts of life shape the work, even when I’m not trying — and why I’ve learned to let them in.
#27: When People See What I Didn’t See
One of the most surprising things about sharing my paintings is when someone sees something in the work that I didn’t. In this post, I reflect on how art takes on new meaning in the eyes of others — and why that’s one of the best parts of the process.
#25: Why I Sometimes Work on Sundays
Yesterday, I found myself in the studio on a quiet Sunday — not because I had to, but because I wanted to. In this post, I explore the difference between duty and desire, and how balancing work and rest is part of what keeps the painting — and me — alive.
#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.
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.
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.