As an artist I've always been inspired by my immediate surroundings. I regularly carry small sketch books and make quick on the spot sketches whenever possible. I often describe myself as a story-telling artist, documenting people as they go about their day at work, rest and play. With a fascination for the quirks and humour of everyday life. In each painting I include as much detail as possible, to give a sense of time and place.
As Mae West famously said; “If you keep a diary one day it will keep you”…which in a way has been true for me. As through my artwork I have met people from all walks of life and been on some exciting journeys, commissioned to record a diversity of scenes, from market stalls in Hong Kong, a pre digital trading floor in London, a pharmaceutical sugar coating pill laboratory, lip syncing drag performances and worked on a construction site based out of a studio on an island in the South China Sea.
In a seemingly short time, many of the objects and characters I’ve sketched are now memories of a past era, like curled telephone wires, computers shaped like boxes, city traders in striped shirts and braces, big permed hairstyles, boogie boxes, brick like mobile phones and pandemic masks.
I'm often drawn to densely crowded urban scenes. By sketching and honing into the minutiae is my way of connecting with the peculiarities and humour of everyday life amongst the mayhem. Taking time to observe the world can be both life affirming and heart breaking. Hopefully people who see my artwork will be able to relate to the places and characters that have inspired, moved and tickled me during my life so far.