Recent / Archived Newsletters
Visual Arts Scotland Centenary Exhibition.
Details of a painting in this show at the Royal Scottish Academy, and a look back at previous occasions when my work has appeared with VAS.
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Studio Update - First newsletter of the year, with work in progress, recent rambles, and some inspiration in the form of the current John Craxton exhibition at Pallant House.
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Arthur Machen - A tale of curious connections.
Exploring the gradual unfolding of synchronistic layers of curiosity that reach back to my childhood, through the manifestation of a 'landscape art' practice, and into the present day.
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The Green Veil
A recently completed commission, recollections of a walk along the river Wye, and thoughts on the book 'Unquiet Landscape'.
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A brief introduction to Geopoetics.
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Into the Black Mountains (I) - The first in a series exploring this area of great inspiration.
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A body of work inspired by Ajar To The Night, by A. Richardson.
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The Forgotten Song - A new painting & drawing, inspired by the song of the birds.
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End of Summer - Some further notes from the South Country
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Selected Writings
Looking back to a drawing made during my childhood, and thinking about how it resonates with the images I went on to create as an adult.
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FALLOW GROUND, THE REGENERATIVE PURPOSE OF 'NOT-DOING'
A discussion around the importance of letting creative endeavours, and yourself, alone.
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Exploring the making of a work inspired by a hill near to the river Tweed, in sight of the Eildon Hills in the Scottish Borders. Hawk visitation, digging beneath the surface, and entering the Underworld.
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What are the boundaries of your terrain, territory, realm, or region, and what meaning do these places have? An exploration of significant places that formed compass points of North, East, South, and West, as the horizons of my own map at that particular time.
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Considering the processes of Alchemy, in relation to creating images. Transforming the art materials from disparate elements towards the wholeness of a finished piece, which is mirrored within the artist, according to their intentions. It is this which constitutes an element of the healing potential within art.
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THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INK & PASTEL IMAGE
Following the creation of an image inspired by a section of coastline in the Scottish Highlands.
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RETURNING TO WALES
Thoughts on moving from Scotland to Wales, where I studied Fine Art, and the style of landscape inspired art I make today first emerged.
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THE ANGEL OF DEATH HAS SPREAD ITS WINGS ACROSS THE LAND
Discussion of a particular work, in the context of creating something new and transformative, from grief. Remembering and utilising impulses towards beauty and wonder. The title arose from hearing the artist Cecil Collins speak of the predicament that life on earth finds itself in.