I am an artist, based just south of Perth, Western Australia.
My paintings are mostly in a broadly realist style and, with some exceptions, are almost exclusively done in oils.
Landscape paintings are of places I have actually visited and been personally inspired by. I enjoy the exhilaration and challenge of painting on location (en plein air) and can sometimes be found in the early hours out in the bush, or by the side of the road trying to capture some of the best light of the day.
Portraits are painted in direct sittings with the subject (with backup photographs for reference). I have a strong aversion to the current widespread trend of using projectors. However quick, accurate or detailed the result, in my view it reduces the artist to little more than a copier and the painting to little more than a tracing. I think it is better that you learn to see and feel and understand for yourself and that doing so is important for development as an artist and as a person.
I also believe in the importance, for skill development, of copying some of the great paintings of the old masters. Some of my renditions can be seen on the “Reproductions” page.
I have been honoured to win the President’s Prize at the MCAA Art Awards two years running (2014 and 2015) – the first year for a landscape, the second for a portrait. And in 2017, the Curator’s Pick award, this time for a self portrait. Another self portrait brought me the “Best in Show” award in 2018 and was followed by further awards in 2019 and 2020 and again in 2022 with “Best Traditional Work”.
Tuition:
I teach oil painting at a number of locations in the southern suburbs of Perth. Classes are tailored to suit complete beginners through to those at intermediate and advanced levels. To enquire further about tuition please go to the Contact page.
Commissions:
Portrait or general commissions are welcomed. Rates will depend on a number of factors, e.g. size, complexity. But as an indication, a life-size portrait (head and shoulders) would be around $2000. To request a commission please go to the Contact page.