My studio is very small and so, if I want to convey a sense of space, I have to work with miniature rooms. I have used dolls' houses, but recently, I am making my own interiors, using pieces of wood,often found on skips. The studio window overlooks the garden, which is beautiful, but if I want to suggest a marine narrative, or a landscape, I have to paint one. The white interior is one I find fascinating, as it is by the window and so I can record the changing light from the sharp brilliance of summer, through to the cool and close toned winter. Taking a subject seen in different lights, is an ongoing preoccupation - hence the Fitzwilliam and Chevington series, the interiors and several of the still lifes, where white or monochrome objects are lined up on the same shelf and the light (always natural, never artificially created ) defines the passing seasons and time of day. Several of the props are from Gabor Cossa, Trumpington Street, Cambridge
15 Photos
With three chancel arches and clear glass windows, the white painted walls are flooded with light. Even if the day is overcast, there is a always interest and beauty along the simple, uncluttered walls.
12 Photos
Still life. The two words are a perfect description of the subject. Still life does not move, but it is still life. Nature Morte, is not how I view the objects on my studio shelf. They are not dead. Stillness is a living existence, the lack of movement suggesting a temporary cessation rather than a final and absolute death. Most of my still life photographs are taken from a shelf in my studio, lit from a side window. The light is a major player in what I see as an ongoing drama series. Each hour is different, often changing minute by minute and it is always natural light. I am not interested in anything else, as I find the beauty of natural light, however unexciting it might be on a dull day, of infinite fascination. One thing I have discovered which makes a difference to a composition, is that if there are too many objects of value i.e. antique and beautiful, the effect can be quite dull. Mixed with trivia such as boxes, bottles, small tin cans and crumpled paper, often roughly covered with acrylic paint, the precious ones take on a new life. It becomes theatre, with the divas surrounded by extras - who are not really extra, but essential. The weighing words/ideas series was inspired by a scales lent to me by Debora Greger. I photographed them, returned them and bought two more from Antiques on High, Oxford.
26 Photos
My mother taught me to read when I was three. Since then I have read every day and books are the most important artefact in my life. The books shown here are not (obviously) ones to be read, but objects either bought or created for their artistic interest. Some images were made recently, others from a few years ago. They are an ongoing fascination and images will be added as they are created
13 Photos