New work to kick off the new year. This black and white abstract painting is inspired by the moon and night sky. Measures 60x60cm

 

Six new works on paper have been released, these studies are experiments in pattern for larger paintings for 2022. 

Available from my fine art website.

 

Four new abstract paintings have been released this month as part of my unyielding and divination body of work, continuing with the meditative repetition of a simple line in some beautiful shades. Each one is 60x60cm acrylic on canvas.




 

 

One of my favourite painting techniques is layering one colour on top of another to create optical mixing. That's when your eye and your brain mix together the colours that are placed next to each other in the painting. A slight change can produce dramatically different effects. These two paintings both have exactly the same colours in the background but one has a detail layer of peach, cream, green, while the other is in white using a slightly thicker paintbrush. Creates such a different feel.

Left: Visual snow vision Right: Normal vision

 

Top: Visual snow vision Bottom: Normal vision

 

I wanted to share a good video I came across today showing some of the symptoms of visual snow syndrome, the neuro-ophthalmologcal condition I have. I get a lot of comments and questions about why my work is so dotty or why the circles, why the pattern etc? Hopefully this goes some way to explaining it. Although I will say you'd need to really ramp up the colour and noise, my experience is a lot more colourful and a lot more dotty than in the video! I also mocked up a couple of images (above) to try and show a little of how it appears when my eyes are open. Just try to imagine all those little tiny dots moving around and flashing occasionally. I'm planning a new body of work exploring this a little more and hopeful it will raise some awareness of the condition too, many people who develop this, rather than being born with it like me, are really struggling and doctors are still trying to find a cause let alone a cure. ​

 

 

As 2020 ends I took a look back at some of my favourite works from the year and gave them a bit of a kaleidoscopic twist for a brand new print collection.

There are seven new mandala art limited edition prints to choose from ranging from a little 8x8inch piece all the way up to 100x100cm. There are also now options for canvas printing and framing.

Kaleidoscopic forms have been part of my art practice for many years now. The fine veil of dots that I see as part of my neuro-ophthalmologcal condition appear as a kaleidoscope of constantly moving pattern. I've always been drawn to mandala type images and symmetrical patterns.

 

 

Celebrate summer with a brand new collection of limited edition prints - kaleidoscopic twists on some of my favourite paintings from this year. Apart from a few sizes options and either paper or stretched canvas, the artworks are also available on beautiful lightweight summer scarves.
Lovely and soft, made in Australia and a big 140x140cm! A great Christmas gift idea.

 

 

The inspiration: leaf stomata seen under a microscope

I have a brand new collection of paintings out this month. Back to Variegated, the topic of my 2018 solo show - beautiful organic patterns inspired by the microscopic detail of leaves. This time using a colour palette of black, white and soft greys (with a hint of blue/purple). Each work is adorned with little pieces of cut paper as a representation of the leaf stomata.

Stylised and enlarged these microscopic patterns become delicate and fragile looking abstracts reminiscent of decorative lace.​

 

 

A few months ago one of the mums at my child's school asked me what my top art tools were so she could them for her older daughter who was very into art. What was my top must have arty item? And without a doubt it is a notebook. I've kept an art journal since high school and it's something I use every week. As times gone by I've opted for smaller ones so I can carry them around with me. They are perfect for popping in your bag and jotting down any ideas when they come to you, quick sketches out and about.

So when I was thinking the other week about what I could put together that would make a creative but affordable gift idea - an arty notebook. Especially when so many people are still staying home, exploring their creative side more and we maybe can't get to see someone in person, what's a thoughtful gift idea? These seemed perfect.

I've put together three different cover designs each one featuring one my original abstract paintings, plus a great inspirational quote from one of my favorite artists Vincent Van Gogh. And... as they are made to order, there is the added option of personalising the little circle on the front from My Creative Journal to Sarah's Sketchbook or Mary's Art Notes for example - just to make it a little more special for somebody.