Newsletter
February 2021
It’s been quite a while since I wrote a blog, but it feels like a good time to keep a more regular account of what I’ve been working on, about my new Gallery and various other projects and exhibitions that I’m involved in.
“Golden Clouds above Eggardon Hill“ oil on canvas, 50”x19” (SOLD)
One painting I’ve recently sold is “Golden Clouds above Eggardon Hill”. It was a year in the making, as is usually the case with my paintings. Here it is on show in my gallery:
Bridport Contemporary Gallery, 11 Downes Street, Bridport, Dorset DT63JR
I’m really looking forward to opening my gallery again after enjoying a busy few months over the summer and autumn. I only open the gallery on Wednesday and Saturday from 11am to 3pm or by appointment. I’ve found this to be the least disruptive to my painting practice, and the popular Bridport Saturday Market now extends up Downes Street, with a handy coffee van parked right outside my gallery.
A long gentle evening from Eggardon Hill, West Dorset, oil on canvas, 72”x24” (180x60cm)
Currently on show in my gallery is “A long gentle evening from Eggardon Hill”, which was actually two years in the making.
Eggardon Hill Series
These Eggardon paintings are the continuation of a series of works that started with “Eggardon View” a few years ago:
“Eggardon View” oil on canvas, 40”x16” (100x40cm) (SOLD)
“Light in the valley below Eggardon Hill”, oil on canvas, 40”x16” (100x40cm) (SOLD)
“An epic view from Eggardon Hill”, oil on flax, 84”x28” (210x70cm)
Eggardon Hill is an ancient hill fort that stands just a few miles East of Bridport, with views across the Jurassic Coast and West towards the Devon border. It is somewhere I have visited since I was a child, but has taken on greater significance since living in Bridport. I visit the hill at least once a week, sometimes more often, to catch the ever-changing light and atmosphere.
There is often a grand theatricality in the churning clouds and sweeping light across the valleys that resonates deeply with my ongoing series of Cinematic Landscape paintings of views across the West Country.
Eggardon Lockdown Series
I started a new series of 36”x12” (91x30cm) paintings during Lockdown #1 that really helped keep me stay focused and positive. I decided to work on a number of paintings that embodied the range of emotions we were all going through, from stormy, to calm and uplifting. They've all been well-received. I've sold the 'Stormy Eggardon', and I've had a couple of commissions inspired by 'Gentle Evening'.
“A calm evening on Eggardon Hill”, oil on canvas, 36”x12”
“A gentle evening on Eggardon Hill”, oil on canvas, 36”x12”
“Stormy clouds above Eggardon Hill”, oil on canvas, 36”x12” (SOLD)
“Sun in the valley below Eggardon Hill”, oil on canvas, 36”x12”
“Drama above Eggardon Hill”, oil on canvas, 36”x12”
I’ll sometimes work on several different versions of a particular moment I witnessed, allowing each painting to develop in its own way. A painting can also work differently at various scales, so I’ll often start with smaller studies, and then develop successful ideas into larger paintings.
“Sunburst above Eggardon Hill”, oil on canvas, 36”x12”
I’m currently working on a range of canvas sizes from 20”x8” to 24”x12”, 36”x12”, 40”x16, 48”x16”, 50”x20”, 60”x20”, 72”x24”, 84”x28” and 96”x32”. Here are some of the smaller oil sketches with which I usually begin to explore ideas:
Orange skies, oil on canvas, 20”x8”
Pink skies, oil on canvas, 20”x8” (SOLD)
Glowing sun, oil on canvas, 20”x8”
I’ll be updating this newsletter on a regular basis. Please email me if you have any questions or would like to purchase a piece.