My Process

The idea that our minds know so much more than what we are conscious of and to. The power, emotions, experiences, moods, thoughts and process of the unknown to our consciousness, that lies behind the fine line of unconscious. Unreliability of the process, using “chance” happenings to inform the work, movement and emotive unconscious decision. A transcendental nature of abstract expressionism.

Reality itself is negotiated in a back and forth process that modifies each party.

Starting the method of walking on a Welsh landscape. Photos and film to document, helping influence colour palette, textures and techniques used and where the base reference comes from. 

Then to a meditative/trance- like state when documenting and making/painting. Chance being the main focus of the painting. Using an array of techniques from lyrical-like brush gestures to paint rollers, dripping, relaying, spraying, scratching, line work and merging.

 Working on canvases, repurposed wood and repurposed paper, with acrylic, charcoal, oil, ink, pen, anything I have at hand. Hiraeth and searching the route of hiraeth through expressive/abstract painting and sea/landscapes source of themes.

Through repurposed wood (surfaces), hand made canvas, acrylic and mixed media I explore the nature of abstraction at the root, searching the unconscious mind through naivety and the form of possibility.

As a “self-taught” visual artist (within technique not theory) on an anti-hierarchical approach to art making.

I work often with materials and references from nature (accessible). Delving deeper into the idea and theory of hiraeth; rough translation - a feeling of loss, homesickness/ longing for a home you cannot return to/never had to begin with. Hiraeth has a deeper meaning though, if Cymraeg derives as an ancient language of poetry and myth, surely hiraeth lends more of a mystical significance, a longing for land, loved ones and a deep loss of connection to our spirituality and nature.

The idea that we can delve deeper within nature and within ourselves. With a democratic approach leading only the viewer to see us the way they want to, or in contrast how we want to (just as in nature with variables of tide and weather/climate). Through colours of blue, turquoise and oranges, creating a huge movement to infer the expression of the sea and power within nature, this is developed through the use of layers, taken away and added, canvases handmade, painting through acrylic and anything at hand.

“IMPRESSIONS OF EXPRESSION” – Brice Marden

Growing up with a builder as a Dad, so everything done is not purely fine art based but also builder based, knowing how these mediums work and interact with air, warmth, cold and humidity.

Creating movement through texture and technique, finding one's own gravity within the painting through negative space and darkness. Painting through emotions rather than thought out motions, actions and planning.  Ambitious dotted forms/structures throughout my work to create a familiarity to a general form but still with unknown meaning. The accidents turn out better than the planned decisions when painting, painting from emotions rather than pre-determined ideas.

A journey throughout the unconscious mind, a path that leads you to be fully consumed within the means of ‘hiraeth’.

This leads the eyes to, even in a small painting, give depth and more inhibition (negative space creating the abundance of place and the power that holds). Emerging through this darkness, a breath, breaking rules and reconnecting back, the lyrical qualities to marks. Playing on different weights, fluid and within the moment.

Power in depicting these unknown scenes, the idea that the viewer can make their own story line, no matter what position, what space, what colours etc.

The immense power that comes from these paintings exude Dynamism. The emotions resonate throughout too many.