Techniques
Compositional Inspiration with selected low relief shapes
Willie Gillies ‘Yellow jug and striped cloth’ (left) …one of a series of compositions I used as a starting point to create new works of my own (right).
Random starts
Oil paint thinned with turps, randomly brushed on, then wiped over with rag cloth. Using the shapes suggested, they are developed further into what I see in them.
Found objects relief work
Found objects have been another avenue for inspiration and directing me towards a theme. They also follow on from relief aspects in my other work.
Casting objects – relief work
Left ‘Cold Cast Bronze’ from cut out card and collected objects.
Right ‘Plaster Cast’ from cut out card and found objects. Sometimes I will add a layer of acetate on top with printed images/wording
Ink and stencil work
Ink sprayed over layered paper and cut out stencil shapes, sometimes with added textures and marks
War themed work
The stages below show how things develop and change in my work as it progresses.
I often use thin washes of colour to harmonise colours and bring tones together when required.
A final layer of retouching varnish is sometimes used and is a good way of bringing out ‘dull’ or ‘flat’ areas within a painting.
2019 marked an important year on the Isle of Lewis. One hundred years previously the H.M.Y. ‘Iolaire’ was returning to Stornoway with Naval men coming home from serving in World War 1. Tragedy struck when the ship hit rocks on New Year’s morning, not far from land, with the loss of 201 lives. The painting above was one in a series of War themed works I felt compelled to do, to mark this disaster and honour the memory of all who served and are serving on behalf of these lands.
Painting style
Vase can be viewed in front and behind swallow. Other objects also give the viewer different options of looking at this picture.
I often play about with space, especially in my still life paintings. Distorting perspective and placing objects both in front and behind at the same time!
