Wrapping Up!

As we wrap up the year, and winter reaches its depths, it is time to send positive thoughts into the New Year while preparing for the festive season. I always find January is a depressive month and in the lead up to Christmas I project new ideas into the first months of 2017, and make sure I have submitted work for exhibitions and events. It sets a tone of excitement and anticipation for the coming year. The above painting is one I have submitted for an exhibition in China. It was painted to a brief and it is largish - 160 cm by 120 cm - and combines spray paint, acrylic and oil paint on canvas. I learned a lot while painting it, which is always good!

'Land-Spirits,' ink and acrylic on rice paper, 96 x 94 cm

Some figuration has crept into some of my recent works, the above ink painting being an example. I find it is better not to know exactly where I am going; the work should just evolve, each painting having a dialogue with past and present works. I am really looking forward to seeing where the work will lead in 2017. 2016 was brilliant and I still can't believe that I completed a funded painting Fellowship by the Great Wall of China in August! I believe that the things I absorbed from that experience will influence my work for months to come. I am applying for another residency in China.

The painting below is to be sent to Kuala Lumpur next week for an exhibition at the Port Commune Art Space from January 7th to February 7th. It is called THE JOY OF LIFE, (the title of the exhibition), and it is acrylic on board, 35 x 25 cm.