Inspiration: painting in the Spanish countryside

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In June/July 2023 I went on a solo, self-directed residency to paint in the landscape of Aragon a region in northeast Spain bordering the Pyrenees. My son lives in Banaguas, a tiny ancient village (the church dates from 1100) outside of Jaca, the medieval capital of Aragon. He travels in the summer so I decided to sublet his studio flat and take my painting on the road. As a contemporary painter I often go to the landscape to find solitude and to engage with nature. Quiet time alone allows me to experiment and opens up new avenues with materials. It…

Life experiences inspire my artwork

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I AM A PAINTER based in Edinburgh, Scotland making contemporary art, that includes painting, collage, video, and installations. Inspiration happens throughout the creative process. Like many artists I am a magpie, inspired by colour, found objects, memory, real and imaginary places. My creative process is simple: I go to the studio (or go outside) and I get started. I don’t wait for inspiration, for it is through making that thoughts, ideas, and connections, surface and become something new. In 1990 I migrated from the USA to Scotland an experience that continues to inform my work. I often say that the…

Abandoned cottages, Scotland, 2021

Summary 2021 Abandoned Cottages, Scotland In 2021 I was supported through a Creative Scotland grant for individual artists to do a month long residency at Merz Gallery at Sanquhar in Southwest Scotland. For a week, during the residency I worked at a terrace of abandoned farm cottages experimenting with painting, collage and time lapse video. The building itself became material for work and I created a series of temporary paintings on the windows. Description In April 2021, right after lockdown, it was incredible to leave Edinburgh for the first time in over a year and go on residency in rural…

Ashes to ashes, 2021

Summary 2021 Ashes to Ashes: glass house painting In 2021 I was supported through a Creative Scotland grant for individual artists to do a month long residency at Merz Gallery at Sanquhar in Southwest Scotland. I spent a week of my time at Merz creating these paintings on a glass house outside of The Bothy, a reclaimed building where I lived for the month. Description Before arriving at MERZ Director Dave Rushton and I had discussed creating work on the windows of the Bothy Green House, a glassed shed built by artists Rhona Jack and Callum Wallis in May 2020 as part…