Originally from Shoreham-By-Sea, and now based in Newcastle Upon Tyne my work reflects my lifelong passion for our geological landscape climbing and mineral collecting.
My work reflects a lifelong passion for our geological landscape. The style of painting is forged from experience with deep ocean geoscience research, and my mountaineering and climbing adventures. I have always loved being in the field as a geologist - whether mapping, teaching students about oceanic crust or working at sea sampling cores of basalt. To understand geology you go to the rocks – you touch and hold them.
Like geology, you can only understand a painting when you are in front of it. It is this shared physical connection that blends geology and painting. When we climb mountains, we are not focussed on geology. We are at one with the rock - studying the route, looking for handholds, gear placements, footholds and pathways. Climb enough rocks and you begin to realise every mountain has a different feel.
Whether consciously or not, it is geology that defines its character and how we respond to it. My work I look to emphasise the features that give mountains their character.
I seek to capture what it’s like to be in their presence.
During my journey as mineral collector, I discovered Greenlaws Mine and, upon seeing incredible cavities of fluorite at this mine I hit upon the idea of painting mineral specimens. I found that by painting one of Greenlaws Mine’s most unique specimens I could help narrate its geological story. I painted ‘Funky Fluorite’ to reflect this.
During my journey as mineral collector, I discovered Greenlaws Mine and, upon seeing incredible cavities of fluorite at this mine I hit upon the idea of painting mineral specimens. I found that by painting one of Greenlaws Mine’s most unique specimens I could help narrate its geological story. I painted ‘Funky Fluorite’ to reflect this.
I have found great joy in expressing the wonders of minerals through art. Their infinite beauty, form and colour is beguiling to behold. Yet there is a philosophical question here beyond an artists rendering and that is the curiosity that things of such breathtaking colour and beauty are formed in total darkness. By taking them out of the darkness and into the light we leave our own impression on the specimen. The act of observation alone seems alters what we are observing.