#54: Stabbing the Painting with Creativity
A week into adding colour to my black and white portrait, I’ve realised just how intense the push and pull can be. Every brushstroke feels like a risk — like I’m sacrificing detail in pursuit of something looser and more expressive. This post is about that uncomfortable middle stage, hitting a wall, stepping away, and coming back with fresh eyes.
#52: A New Year, a Wider Window
As I begin preparing my entry for Portrait Artist of the Year 2026, a small rule change has prompted a much bigger reflection. Being able to submit work from the last five years, rather than just one, has made me realise how much has quietly accumulated — and how far this journey has already taken me.
#51: A Christmas Thank You — and Looking Ahead
As the year comes to a close, I wanted to pause and say thank you. This has been my first full year working consistently from the studio, and the support I’ve received along the way has meant a great deal. In this post, I reflect on the year just gone, finishing my submission for the HSFK Portrait Award 2026, and looking ahead to what’s next in the new year.
#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.
#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.
#23: Knowing When to Stop: Finding My Limits in the Studio
I love getting lost in the work — but I’ve learned that the best paintings don’t come from endless hours alone. In this post, I explore how family time, exercise, and quiet pauses outside the studio all shape the work I do when I return.
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.