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Five years ago, I moved my studio to Cheltenham from Gt. Barrington, Nr Burford and in so doing, moved from Country to Town. At first, this didn't seemed to be very significant, but as the months crept on, I noticed a change also taking place in my Paintings. As an Artist, I am growing all the time and as I grow, my work grows with me. Or should I say, more accurately....Evolves! Country scenes and Landscapes are already being superceded for townscapes and figurative formats and Portraits. It is an exciting pastime to watch the influence my new surroundings are having on me and my Watercolours, Oils and Acrylics. My painting has also taken on a new lease of life and become, I think, more Impressionistic! and now I can no longer rule in or out any subject matter as sacred. One significant maxim of Impressionism has always been that, no matter where you are as a painter, there should be an exciting painting within the 360 degrees of your own vision. I always thought that this was an over-simplified view and somewhat of an urban myth...now...I'm not so sure! Interiors and still life compositions are looking to me, just as appealing as the great outdoors. These days the landscape takes place in shop windows as well as anywhere else.
I run Short courses in painting from my Georgian/Regency apartment looking out on the residential setting of Cheltenham Town with a distant view of those majestic hills as constant reminder of my Cotswold country roots. Students often ask "Do you miss it?" but how can you miss something that continues to live inside you still! I guess my studio, like my life is a continuous Workshop, with all the changes that take place being reflected in the work.