After studying fine art and textiles at Camberwell and Goldsmith's Colleges in the 1980's, I spent a number of years developing this painting technique on glass. Various media are layered ‘sous verre’, ie. worked on the underside of glass panels. Each painting is a memory of landscape, or a fragment of sensory elements from the natural world.
The first public exposure of the glass was at 'Antennae', a one-off show at Chelsea Town Hall in 1993. Strongly encouraged by the response, I made the decision to commit myself to expressing my artistic vision through this unusual medium. The effect of painting directly on to the glass is that the image changes with the movement of light upon its surface, with myriad effect.
‘Drawing' describes the action of 'bringing something forth'. It is an essential part of the creative process. In these paintings all preparatory ideas are hidden within the development of the work itself, as the first designs of a Bonsai are present in the shape of the mature tree. Each painting involves layering of water colour, Japanese papers and mixed media. Some will remain composed of simple elements to describe a movement. Others become rich collages of intense activity. The process may have to be repeated, altered, or rejected completely, perhaps some of its character, remnants of layers of colour, appearing in its new form. These experiences become the secret of the glass itself. Finally, that which is sought reveals itself. This is recognised as a state of harmony and completeness.
Commissions have followed. These include a major series for Royal Caribbean International, The Saudi Royal Family; paintings for the collection of Marquis and Marchesa Bosurgi, Rome; glass for the residence of Ms Nina Campbell; London's Capital Hotel; Holiday Inn, Vienna; David Lloyd and others both here and abroad. I have been invited to exhibit at Wilkinson of Mayfair; Harrods Knightsbridge, The Royal Commonwealth Society; the London Buddhist Centre and South Bank's Oxo Tower
"Is it beyond thee to be glad with the gladness of this rhythm? To be tossed and lost and broken in the whirl of this fearful joy? All things rush on, they stop not, they look not behind, no power can hold them back, they rush on.
Keeping steps with that restless, rapid music, seasons come dancing and pass away - colours, tunes and perfumes pour in endless cascades in the abounding joy that scatters, gives up and dies every moment."
V.70 Gitanjali - Rabindranath Tagore
Tel: 07980 070442 | Email: naturesousverre@yahoo.com