'Thoughts of Crow'
an exhibition of new work for 2011
ALL WORK WILL BE EXHIBITED AT BONHAMS, 22 QUEEN STREET, EDINBURGH, EH2 1JX - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10am TO 4.30pm ON JULY 7th AND 8th, 2011
My work involves the reductive treatment of images that interest and inspire me. For each subject I extract and paint shapes, patterns and colours that retain tonal honesty but explore and reflect colours, emotions and settings. I take observed, un-posed subjects and create unique oil paintings where the creative process provides a framework for the finished item so that they are given presence and contemplation.
Ewe left me at the Underground
Oil on canvas 48 x 36 ins
The 'sheep' paintings resulted from watching a field of ewes owned by the 'Country Frames' gallery at Leslie, near Insch, Aberdeenshire. I loved the way the sheep were lumpy and saggy, with gnarled faces and boney legs. They were gently bleating as they grazed and it felt like the whole field was 'speaking sheep' in a lilting murmur. I wanted to capture and extract their hoary essence and grizzled curiosity.
Ewe took the Bus
Oil on canvas 36 x 48 ins
This sheep presented curiosity, confidence and possibly belligerence. She wasn't going to move and I didn't ask her to although I enjoyed our few moments of interaction. Eventually she became bored of me and wandered off leaving me standing by myself - I felt odd and very 'not-sheep' while standing alone in her field. I wanted to show her strength and simplicity with bold colours in lively shapes.
Ponyboy
The inspiration for this painting came from S.E. Hinton's novel The Outsiders in which a teenage character 'Ponyboy' faces the transition from child to adult through the tribal nature of his environment and peers.
This young colt is looking forward to his future, carrying his head high with the sensitive arrogance of youth but with the grace and beauty of the young animal. The colours reflect his heritage as a mix of Clydesdale and Welsh breeds and the complexity of youth facing the enormity of the world they are learning about.
Oil on canvas, 50x40 ins
