Many things inspire me. Looking at great art is both a humbling experience and an invigorating one, and generally fires me up for a new piece. Among my favourite artists are the awesome Stanley Spencer, LS Lowry, Renee Magritte and I love the recent surrealist paintings of Michael Sowa. Occasionally I get sparks from film or TV, and I like to keep my eye on fashion and interior design. These provide the latest ‘looks’, which I try and use to keep my paintings fresh. Sometimes I am responding to social issues. For example, much of my work has focused on turning around the negative relationship, that women, in particular have with their bodies, thanks to the media presenting perfect airbrushed models for us to live up to.
Mostly though, I draw my ideas from simply observing people and human behaviour.
If I am struggling with a blank canvas, I take myself off to a local town centre, there before me is an endless supply of imagery to work on. Often I need only see a mundane scene such as the purchase of a bag of chips and I am on my way.
