Magma
This piece was commissioned following the purchase of “Time”. “Magma” was created from October 2020 to January 2021. The couple had been looking for artwork to go above their bed since 2006. They specified that the size needed to be a single piece or triptych up to 180 x 30 cm to fit between their bed and the curve leading into the ceiling. The requested colours were burgundies, reds, creams, and beiges to match their bedroom and artwork they already had. In order to narrow down the style and colours, I created three proofs. After the production of each one, I had a discussion with the client where we varied the colours, pattern, or repeat slightly. The proofs are now finished pieces (for sale) and were produced in the following order; “Shenlong”, “Ripple”, and “Magma AP”. “Magma AP” has been purchased by the clients. “Magma” is so large it needed four coats of resin. The painting frame itself is a magnificent creation made with Elm and Plywood by Tom Cooper Fine Furniture. I was quite disappointed to be painting over the grain of the Elm and Tom’s beautifully made joints. Watch this space for a video of the making of “Magma”.
Ice Flow
This piece was commissioned following the purchase of “Quantum Reality” and was created from July to December 2020. The couple originally wanted four 15 x 100cm abstract panels to fit in their wooden window shutters. This then changed to four 15 x 50 cm panels to enable them to move the paintings to other locations if preferable. We agreed to start with 2 panels to allow me to modify the painting colours and techniques to achieve what the clients wanted. They wanted something similar to “Quantum Reality”. As time progressed and our understanding of “similar” was more aligned, the brief for the final set of paintings was “more striations”. Ultimately, they decided they wanted all 6 panels as a single piece. The frame is constructed with American Oak by Tom Cooper Fine Furniture with the backing panel painted to complement and enhance the panels. I named the piece “Ice Flow” due to the flow in the thought process through the paintings and that they remind me of water flowing below ice. I LOVE the final piece and it will remain as one of my favourite pieces of work. The clients liked this first collected piece so much that we’re now working on a similarly structured piece with the title “Lava flow”.
Gairloch
Commission of Gairloch, completed July 2020, for a 70th birthday present. The brief was to paint an image of Gairloch to include Beinn Alligin (the mountains), the church and the rocks in the foreground, whilst using the predominant colours in Highland Stoneware. The images below show a snippet of the process starting with the four photos that the client provided and ending with “Gairloch” in its new home. I particularly like that it is nestled in amongst the Highland Stoneware that provided the inspiration for the colours. The Primary Sketch shows my initial plan of composition and colours.
Glenelg Bay
Commission of Glenelg Bay, gateway to Skye.
Bernera Barracks, Glenelg
Commission of Glenelg, gateway to Skye.