For those that are new to me and my work, I thought it might give a better insight into my world if I flagged up some of the most important things in my life.
Family – my wife Ruth and son Tom are central to my world and they have travelled with me on my creative journey, physically and spiritually, for most of the way. For me, family gives an overriding sense of purpose to all else.
Meditation – has become an integral part of my creative practice since 1993, when I learnt the technique of Transcendental Meditation. Day by day, year by year, meditation has turned my life around, to the point where I feel in tune with the underlying processes of the natural world. I trust my intuition in all aspects of living, but particularly when it comes to making creative decisions, and that trust brings me luck.
My left hand – although my dominant hand is my right, I have used my left hand to draw with since the mid 1980’s. I welcome the loss of control this brings to my drawing practice. Through this process, I have subsequently learnt, I am connecting with the right side of my brain which favours an intuitive approach and an awareness of “the bigger picture”.
Passion – is the thing that has kept me creative over many years. An artistic talent alone is not enough to sustain a creative practice over a long period. An artist needs to believe that what they do is important to themselves and to society. In this era of multiple global challenges, creative thinking and action on all levels is essential to guide the human race to a more sustainable future.
Sustainability – like creativity, sustainability can be applied to every aspect of life. It is a way of thinking. Over my entire life as a practicing artist, I have instinctively been drawn to well used, discarded, found and recycled objects as a source of material. Transforming perceived “rubbish” into a work of art is nothing short of alchemy and I love it.
Travel – has been a consistent source of inspiration throughout my life. Numerous working trips to India and a year spent in Sri Lanka have left a spiritual and sensual slipstream flowing through so many of my daily routines. More recently, trips to Cuba and Morocco have resulted in series of paintings and exhibitions. Travel for me means hard work not holiday. For “work” also read “play”.
Sri Lanka – In 2023 I bought a piece of beachfront land on the south coast of Sri Lanka. This was the fulfilment of a long held dream which has opened up exciting creative, cultural and community opportunities, not just for me, but ultimately all who visit our little piece of paradise which is Aqua Beach.
Home – is my place of sanctuary. I am very lucky to live and work in a unique house in a stunning location amongst the rocks on the wild west coat of Jersey, at Corbière. Having a hand in the design and building of your own home is the ultimate creative project, and that I was lucky enough to do at Song of the Sea in 2012/13.
Now you know a bit more about me, I hope it helps you enjoy what you see on this website.
