Skullflower

Oil on canvas 15cm x 20cm

Melon on a Cloth; a Metaphor for Resurrection

Oil on canvas 36cm x 36cm

This study of a cut up melon on a white cotton sheet is as much a portrait of the sheet, with all it's creases, folds and subtle coloration, as a depiction of melon with it's contrasting strong chroma. If any additional layer of meaning arises while arranging a still life, a process that usually takes hours, then those elements tend to stay and become a focal idea which informs how the painting is painted.

The red melon flesh lying on a crumpled sheet stained with melon juice reminded me of the idea of the body of Christ lying on a shroud, and the old master paintings depicting this and also the still life paintings of the C17th monk, Juan Cotan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_S%C3%A1nchez_Cot%C3%A1n

There is also a trinity aspect; one melon cut into three pieces.  Unequal in size, there is a large piece on a raised level, a medium sized piece and the  smallest teeters on an edge. It is three aspects of the same thing from a spherical whole.

My studio is located inside a Baptist church. Before Easter I was chatting with the minister, James, about his preparations and mentioned this painting. I discovered that the apostle Paul describes Christ’s resurrection, as ‘first fruits’ (1 Corinthians 15:23). First Fruits is a harvest term, it’s an offering, an opportunity to give the first fruits back to God as a show of faith. There are also other references to fruit concerning Jesus and his teachings in the Bible. I was not aware of this when I started the painting, but did feel that somehow fruit was a good metaphor for Christ, crucifixion and resurrection as it conferred ideas of ripeness, seeds and growth, regeneration and rebirth.

He then invited me to talk about this painting during the Easter service. This was a great pleasure and an honour as it was also the churches 75th anniversary service.

Ceramic Skull with Orange

Self Portrait

Festival portraits

The Ark T Centre, where I have my studio (which is actually in the adjoining church), had a stall at the Elder Stubbs Festival this summer. It's an unusual festival, being held in garden allotments and hosted by the charity Restore that offers support to local people with mental health issues. I set up shop at the Ark T stall doing portraits of visitors in charcoal to help with fund raising for the Ark T Centre, which is also a charity.

Great House, Laugharne

Sketch of entrance hall with my son Stan sitting on the stairs.

Oil on paper 20'x 16'
2013

Ganesha and Lemon

Oil on paper 16" x 20"

Madonna and Lemon

Charcoal A2

Copper, Brass and Bone with Scotch Bonnets

Oil on canvas 110 x 90 cm

Olivia, pregnant, watching TV

Pen, A5 sketchbook

Morocco - Stan watches Ninja Turtles on a phone

Pencil and graphite stick, A4

Vanitas

Deer Skull with Lilies
Oil on Canvas 22"x 17"

Flowers

Oil on paper 20"x 16"

Savoy and Ganesha

oil on canvas on board
7"x 5"

Andy

Olivia

Deer Skull with Flowers Sketch

Oil on Paper A4

Deer Skull with Brambles

Deer Skull, Brambles and God
Oil on Canvas
2ft x 2ft

Dutch Style

Pitcher, Grapes and God
Oil on canvas
2ft x 3ft

This still life is in the style of a dutch 17th century still life in subject matter and I've used strong chiaroscuro. However, it is much more painterly than the pictures from this era and I've also included a small hindu statue.

Still Lifes

It started as a study of a bramble branch for a picture featuring undergrowth, but I then decided to add a few other objects to make a still life. I discovered that still life is a great opportunity to explore the abstract qualities of representational painting; to play with composition, colour, lighting and mark making. I also liked the way strange narratives and possible meanings evolved from these arrangements.

Venus and Wasp

African Mask and Hand

Owl and Vice