I walk here often observing changes from day to day and season to season, painting, drawing, taking photos and making notes. I find it constantly compelling and am drawn in particular by the abstract qualities of the river: patterns in the flow, multi- layering  and reflectivity. 

The research gathered on site feeds into my work in the studio. Here I can be concerned with exploring ideas of design, paint handling and mark- making. I like to stretch the possibilities with the materials - using fluid paint onto wet paper or canvas, and spraying with water to encourage it to run, flow and diffuse.
 

As I want my work to appear fresh and lively, I avoid overworking at any stage by always having other pieces of work on the go. I also let each painting ‘rest’ for periods of time between stages. This process can take anything up to a month, until eventually I can complete the piece with smaller marks and touches made with finer brushes.
  

I would like to think that I convey through my paintings the sense of quietness and ‘solitary involvement’ with the River, the Forest or the Downs