I paint for people because it makes me happy.
It sounds a bit wanky, but the paintings come together as a concept when the people I paint them for are going through something major – usually a period of big change.
In the course of just hanging out with friends and family, they tell me their news and sometimes this creates a picture in my head and I know it is time to make them a painting. I would love to say that it is a good way to avoid buying presents for these big momentous occasions, but each painting takes around 40 hours over several days and sometimes weeks so if that was my motivator, it really would be less problematic to just pop off to John Lewis for a gift.
Below are the paintings I have done for others and you can click through to each one, to read their story.
UNITY
Painting: ‘Unity’ Painted for Caroline & Natalie in Dec 07, to mark their wedding in September For Caroline & Nat: This painting and its symbols represent your relationship. I hope it will help to remind you that you are both strong and interesting...
CHANGES
Painting: ‘Changes’ Painted for Sarah Latham, Autumn 2002 For Sarah: This painting and its symbols represent a period in your life where you are governed by change. I hope it will serve to remind you that you are strong and talented and that you can always...
HARMONY
Painting: ‘Harmony’ Painted for First City Advertising, Spring 2001 For Adam & Andy: The Aboriginal art form is complex and steeped in many centuries of history and tradition. There are no simple interpretations of the colours, textures and forms used, as...
REFLECTION
Painting: ‘Reflection’ ( Painted for Austin to mark his 40th birthday and a period of change. Dec 2007 )
DESTINY
Painting: ‘Destiny’ Painted for Bekki & Andrew as a belated wedding present , Feb 2007 For Bekki & Andrew: This painting and its symbols represent the relatively short period in both of your lives, where you met, met again and then embarked on a life...
METAMORPHOSIS
Painting: ‘Metamorphosis’ Painted for Diana Terrones, 2010 - 2011 This painting was a work in progress for over a year. It mixes Aboriginal & Mayan symbols, with a literal twist. At the centre of the painting is my spine and pelvis (life size, taken from...
BALANCE
Painting: ‘Balance’ Painted for my sister Tere in November 2002 For Tere: This painting represents the broad elements of your life, and how you work to keep them balanced. On the right side is a dark circle with two u-shapes. This symbolises a meeting of two...