Biography
Background and Training
I was trained at Heatherley's School of Art (Chelsea) and at The National College of Art and Design (Dublin).
I have also been lucky enough to have been given extensive personal tuition by a close friend of Francis Bacon and by a senior lecturer at The Royal Academy.
Influences
Degas is probably my biggest influence for the beauty of his work and his extraordinary use and understanding of colour. My favourite artwork is his 'Frieze of Dancers'.
I also admire these:
- Rembrandt for his tone and mood.
- Toulouse Lautrec for the quality of his drawings.
- David A Leffel for his still lifes.
- JW Waterhouse for everything.
My favourite living artist is Michael Clark (www.michaelclark.info)
Statement
Whilst an element of realism is important, I try to move beyond artistic convention and avoid an image that is too predictable. Realism is not enough - what you take away and what you add to what you see are what transform a picture into art.
I believe that the viewer wants to see a degree of draughtsmanship from an artist but they deserve more than this. I aspire to make my pictures to touch people personally and to be considered works of beauty.