It's been three years since I explored the beautiful, haunting wildernesses of Patagonia, Chile during my honeymoon. A lot has happened since then: a global pandemic and a baby to name just a few of the major events. But no matter where else I travel or where this new phase in life takes me, painting... Continue Reading →
Art Diaries: Roots
There aren't many wild areas on this island. There are few natural habitats left where flowers are free to bloom with the seasons, but nature is incredibly adaptable and versatile. The greatest of oak trees grows from a tiny seedling, and alpines can grow on the harshest, steepest winter slopes. And even in Malta, nature... Continue Reading →
I’m Quitting Social Media
Whether you’re shocked by invasions of privacy, selling of personal data, an overabundance of propaganda, or simply tired of algorithms, there are plenty of reasons to quit social media. If you’re an artist or small business, there are probably even more. We’re told that we must be on every social media channel going, that we... Continue Reading →
Why Abstract Art Sucks
Abstract art is the visual that goes beyond the representational. Abstract art does not depict accurate forms or reality, but relies on colours and their juxtaposition, form, line, shapes and marks to tell a story. So, not limited by any representational form, abstract art should be easy, right? With no template or box to restrain... Continue Reading →
How I Spent A Whole Day In The Studio
Just two days after emerging from quarantine in Malta, we found ourselves back in lockdown as the coronavirus surges around us. With nowhere to go and with a new appreciation for just how risky it is to go out, this was the perfect time for me to get back into my art studio, after a... Continue Reading →
Why We Should Teach Our Children About Unusual Animals
Have you ever heard of an Axolotl? Known as the “walking fish” this almost translucent aquatic creature is actually a salamander that retains its juvenile form with visible gills into adulthood. It’s also the first animal in my Wild ABCs collection of paintings, inspired by my four-month-old son (who’s already growing so fast I wish... Continue Reading →
10 Art Supplies For The Beginner Painter
When I started painting, I’d been given an old box of oil paints that my brother had found in his garage. I’m not sure who they belonged to, but I was encouraged to try them, having never touched an oil paint tube before. The results weren’t excellent, but with just one canvas and a few... Continue Reading →
O is for Ovenbird
As a child, I’d always illustrate the stories I wrote. I’d fold a piece of A4 paper in half and design a full book cover, with blurb, barcode and all. Now I have a child, I’ve been thinking about how my art has changed, and how it needs to change. A new baby to care... Continue Reading →
Review: The Celestron Travelscope 70
Inspiration can come from anywhere. For me it often comes from looking up at the stars. So when I was gifted my first telescope a few Christmasses ago, I couldn’t wait to start stargazing. If you’re looking to get started on some observations of your own to inspire your art or just for fun, the... Continue Reading →
Art Diaries: Nature’s Rhythms And A Pandemic
Every winter, huge flocks of starlings put on a spectacular display on the seafront of Aberystwyth, Wales, during their nightly commute to roost on the pier. They gather in vast numbers and perform their beautiful acrobatics, known as ‘murmurations’. The same spectacle plays out every single year. But all around the world, while nature’s rhythms... Continue Reading →