When I started working with Caroline at Hope Gallery, in 2018, we seemed to have an instant mutual understanding about my work, it’s deep roots in the landscape, and she had a natural connection to the expressive way I approached my paintings. I had been painting since my degree in fine art in 1992, and I was only just embarking on the transitional journey from college art teaching to full-time artist, still mostly working small and probably a little cautiously, testing, sampling and exploring.
Finding my way creatively (and personally!) is a lifetime of work; it’s never going to be complete and I am still exploring every day. Developing practice can’t really be achieved part-time; you lose the thread of your ideas, technique becomes rusty, unpracticed, direction becomes unfocussed and confusion reigns. But the daily commitment to my studio practice, the total immersion in ideas and experimentation, traipsing into the studio in my overalls whatever the weather, however I feel, has been needed, necessary, and is a total and utter joy. It’s also such a privilege that I am thankful for every day, and I honestly can’t imagine my life any other way.
So it’s a real joy to be back with Caroline at Hope Gallery, now in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, with a new collection of work on display from the end of October 2023. Caroline has generously given my work plenty of space to breathe, in fact a whole room dedicated to just my paintings, and for that I am so grateful. Hope Gallery is a seriously good gallery, striding purposefully to represent a strong group of artists, showcasing serious ideas with a keen commercial eye, and is just beautifully curated. Go and see for yourself! Hope Gallery, Hebble House, Old Gate, Hebden Bridge.
Traverse. Acrylic on paper, 76x76xm, framed. For sale exclusively at Hope Gallery, Hebden Bridge.
Exposed. Acrylic on canvas, 30x30cm SOLD