Collection Type: PREVIOUS WORK

Acrylic on Canvas 25 x 25cm

Acrylic on Canvas 91 x 61cm

Acrylic on Linen 50 x 50 cm

‘Spring has Sprung’, a deliciously loose abstract painting, is inspired by my beautiful town of Ilkley. The blues, purples and pinks of the ancient woodland bluebells sit softly amongst the bright fresh greens of Spring foliage. Water is all around; other blues suggest streams seeping out of the surrounding moors flowing in umpteen little rivulets down into the River Wharfe. The beautiful new fountain at the top of Brook Street, which will be fed by one of these streams (or brooks) has been designed by Juliet Gutch, a talented local artist.
.
The title settled in my mind as, whilst painting, it reminded me of my lovely father and his saying the verse ‘Spring has Sprung’ every Spring so this painting elicits that joyful feeling, and a smile, that he brought to many in his life.
.
A favourite of Spike Milliken this old poem is often attributed to E E Cummings or Ogden Nash but was apparently anonymously penned and has many versions. Below is the one I remember with great affection.
.
Spring has sprung,
De grass is riz;
I wonder where de boidies is?
De boid is on de wing – dat’s absoid,
How can de boid be on de wing when de wing is on de boid?

Collage on Board
45 x 37.5cm mounted
Image 15 x 22cm

Original Abstract Painting – Acrylic & Collage on Paper – Image size 16 x 23cm – mounted
.

Acrylic on Canvas x cm

Mixed Media on Paper – Mounted & Framed 48 x 39cm – Image size 25 x 17.5cm

Flotsam is the floating wreckage of a ship, or its cargo or floating debris washed up by the tide. Jetsam and lagan were items thrown overboard to lighten a ship. Lagan was distinguished from jetsam by having a buoy attached so the goods could be found if they sank. Getting rid of flotsam in your home was a virtuous activity even before the pandemic, when lockdowns gave millions plenty of time to take a hard look at their stuff.

This artwork started off life as one experimental screen print. I chopped the paper into four and added collected studio paraphernalia and paint. Referencing the beauty of watery places and unexplored precious environments there is so much more to be discovered and to be done to prevent them from becoming polluted beyond recovery. Making artworks from my studio stuff accords this ‘rubbish’ a place for now, rather than ending up in oceans or rivers.

Growing up in Northern Ireland near Belfast through which the River Lagan flows, the word lagan stirs up memories good and bad and I love that a buoy is attached to prevent sinking. My internal flotsam & jetsam & lagan load is lightened by the peace I experience creating works of art.

Mixed Media on Paper – Mounted & Framed 48 x 39cm – Image size 25 x 17.5cm

Flotsam is the floating wreckage of a ship, or its cargo or floating debris washed up by the tide. Jetsam and lagan were items thrown overboard to lighten a ship. Lagan was distinguished from jetsam by having a buoy attached so the goods could be found if they sank. Getting rid of flotsam in your home was a virtuous activity even before the pandemic, when lockdowns gave millions plenty of time to take a hard look at their stuff.

This artwork started off life as one experimental screen print. I chopped the paper into four and added collected studio paraphernalia and paint. Referencing the beauty of watery places and unexplored precious environments there is so much more to be discovered and to be done to prevent them from becoming polluted beyond recovery. Making artworks from my studio stuff accords this ‘rubbish’ a place for now, rather than ending up in oceans or rivers.

Growing up in Northern Ireland near Belfast through which the River Lagan flows, the word lagan stirs up memories good and bad and I love that a buoy is attached to prevent sinking. My internal flotsam & jetsam & lagan load is lightened by the peace I experience creating works of art.

Acrylic on Paper & Mounted Image 12.5 x 18 cm

A cheery little painting completed at the same time as A LOVELY DAY this was a continuance of the feeling that life was going to become normal once more and to me is a bright little ray of optimism.

Acrylic on Paper & Mounted Image 12.5 x 18 cm

A cheery little painting completed at the same time as A LOVELY DAY was a continuance of the feeling
that life was going to become normal once more and to me is a bright little ray of optimism.

Acrylic on Canvas Board 42.5 x 60 cm

Soft pale colours punctuated with brighter highlights combine to suggest a dreamy, far away romantic landscape
inviting the onlooker to relax and imagine a gentle, peaceful and beautiful world.

Acrylic on Canvas 122 x 91cm
.
.

.
.