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My paintings, whether watercolour or pastel, frequently start from a photograph that I’ve taken while hiking or paddling, providing a jumping-off point for a fun, intuitive dive into nature's beauty. My aim isn't photographic realism. Instead, I let my intuition guide bold, expressive marks that capture the feeling of what I see. I'm inspired by how oil and acrylic artists use loose, expressive marks, on top of a colourful underpainting to create a unified look, but obviously underpainting isn't possible with transparent watercolours, which require me to work from light to dark colours. I'm continually experimenting with mark making, papers, brushes and different techniques, seeking new ways to veer away from photographic realism and embrace a more expressive approach in my art.
About my watercolour and pastel paintings
My stylized watercolour florals are an energetic interpretation of nature's blooms. Each piece highlights the flower as the central focus, often grounded by imagined backgrounds that playfully blend reality with artistic expression.​
Inspired by personal experiences in nature, my watercolour landscapes draw on my background as a classically trained photographer. I'm acutely aware of light's dance across the landscape, particularly in the skies and my favourite white pine trees. ​
My soft pastel work shares the same core artistic philosophy as my watercolours. A unique feature is that I draw on black automotive sandpaper, which allows colours to be densely layered on top of each other, in striking contrast to the subtleties of watercolour.