About me
I am an artist originally from Anglesey, but work from my studio at Cei Llechi, Caernarfon. I paint abstract landscapes inspired by the mountains of Snowdonia. They are alluring, magical places that allow you to escape to another world. I have a great passion for North Wales, nature, music, my friends and my family and all of these inspire me every day and have a strong influence on my artwork.
Painting enables me to convey and interpret my feelings and thoughts in one passionate explosion on the canvas. It's almost like my third language. When I paint, I stay in the present, without worrying about the past or the future. It's as if time stands still for a while and it allows me to escape from today's intense world.
Ideas behind the work
My paintings exist somewhere between reality and fantasy and have been inspired by the striking mountains of Snowdonia. They are a combination of specific and imaginary places, and have an other-worldly and magical feel to them.
The paintings are set in the distant past – where there are no roads or pylons, and no sign of humanity. I have attempted to create a peaceful and calm atmosphere in a world untouched by Man.
They are hopeful paintings in a world that has become so uncertain and that can be cruel at times. I stress the importance of not taking our beautiful landscape for granted, and that the natural world should be protected at all costs.
The shadows suggest that we are almost in the darkness with the issues of the modern world appearing to be serious, and that the battle between earth and ourselves has reached a critical point.
However, the light penetrates intensely through the shadows, which conveys the hope that we as people will open our eyes, and will take good care of the earth and of each other before it’s too late.
Climbing to the top of the mountain can be difficult, as are many things that manifest themselves in life.
The darkness conveys these difficult aspects of life, but the brighter colours, in marked contrast, show that there is light to be found behind every cloud or murkiness.
I have combined two techniques in line with the duality of the paintings, namely lino printing and brush painting. The craggy texture created by the lino contrasts with the gentleness of brush strokes in the background.
My paintings are of pure and alluring places. I hope they allow people to escape from today’s intense world, and also bring us closer to those who have passed away. I’d like to inspire the viewers to concentrate on the light and not to take our beautiful landscape for granted.