Distance from the still life

I like to play with the distance I sit from my subject, letting the sunlight, shadows, and backdrop of the studio influence the composition. The distance quite literally changes how I see and feel about an arrangement.

Once I’ve found a general sense of placement and shape, I let my eye move around. Inspired equally by observation and recollection, this is where I let my mood and the season influence where I’ll go with a painting.

I find observing, working slowly and simplifying helps me to create work that is restrained in shape, colour and contrast. And I hope that comes through in work that feels familiar, even nostalgic, like it has always been in a space.