I was privledged to study Botanical drawing with the late Mike Hickey, who taught me about the character of growing plants. I learnt that the tradition of botanical drawing dates back more than three thousand years. The earliest Plant illustrations were often produced to enable the identification of medicinal plants. Eventually, renaissance artists, such as Bellini and Durer painted natural beautiful plants, often as embellishments in large compositions.
I work continually in Art Journals and sketchbooks, which helps me to bring order to chaotic ideas – and build up a memory bank of holding unused ideas
The dramatic silhouette of May Hill with its clump of trees on the top has remained an unmistakable landmark down the ages. From any angle, it has given reassurance to travellers and inspiration to poets.
I have seen an amazing range of colours through the progression of the seasons, especially in the early mornings when the mists that drape the Hill bring a sense opf mystery. As the mists lift, a collection of abstract shapes is revealed often in shades of green yellow and brown – sometimes striped by the plough. Please click on the Products Page for information concerning my Book about May Hill.
By taking the plate into an ancient building I can start my image whilst experiencing the surroundings and atmosphere, and then continue working in my studio until ready to make my print.
When making a monoprint, I work in my studio from memory in an intuitive fashion, painting onto the plate, making the print, and then working back into the image when with watercolour
Crows have been regarded as messengers between the spirit and the living world. Crows are intelligent, sociable and devour the roadkills and rubbish that we create.
