STATEMENT

ARTIST STATEMENT

I paint as a form of art therapy. I find the process entirely consuming, from drawing my initial ideas through to completion. The properties of oil paint in particular fascinate me and how it is applied. The technical challenges of rendering flesh or a face, and what emerges on the canvas, are a journey.

It leads me into personal territories, because throughout the mark-making my colour choices affect my mood, and I explore and expose my inner emotions and thoughts at the same time. Quite regularly this occurs in my backgrounds. Therefore in a real sense every painting of mine is a self-portrait.

STATEMENTS ON THE MENOPAUSE

MENOPAUSE SERIES 1

2020 - 2022

In the last 18 months I have researched the menopause extensively since entering into it myself. It is a bridge most women will cross...but it is hardly spoken about.

It's taboo!

We are suddenly no longer fertile.

We are getting older.

We are no longer attractive, or so we think.

The list goes on and on...

For some it's debilitating, for others it's a complete beeze. My aim is to lift the lid on all the myriad symptoms, and the hopes and concerns that I myself and ALL women will go through during this period, and lay them bare.

Starting with me of course.

I noticed physical changes occuring. Hot flushes. Then I also started journalling mental states too. My friends were telling me about 'brain fog' - depression - anxiousness - sleep apnoea - hot flushes - night sweats etc. I had my fair share of it all. I had a nightmare time with my first hrt. I had to paint it all out. Art is therapy.

My research developed and inspired ideas for a series. I have now completed the first series, which was executed on gessoed boards - sanded down to be as smooth and slippery as possible. A deliberate move. The menopause is incredibly complex - I wanted the painting to be challenging as well.

The result is a body of seven paintings, measuring 25cm x 30cm each. They explore some of my more personal feelings and thoughts on the changes happening in my body, plus the new chapter I am entering.

MENOPAUSE SERIES 2

2022-ongoing

I am currently in the middle of a second series of menopause paintings, all larger this time (16x20inch). Some are self-portraits and some are from model photos, for others my daughter posed. This is on-going I've been working on them for most of 2022/23 (inbetween commissions).

They all reference the menopause and symptoms adhering to the change.

MENOPAUSE SERIES 3

New project

For my third series, starting in 2023 or 2024 I am looking for peri- meno- and post-menopausal women who are willing to volunteer and be painted from life AND life-size...I am planning a series. I want to have a big exhibition at the end of it. Put yourself forward if you are interested.

From a personal perspective this is a huge progression compared to how I usually paint, which is very tight.

I used to paint large in college back in the day, and then over the years scaled my practice back because of commitments, not enough room, kids, life, etc.

With this series my aim is to talk with my sitter about the menopause, get their point of view, thoughts, rage, stories ... and just paint EVERYTHING onto canvas, including text.

I HAVE SPACES. GET IN TOUCH. E-MAIL ME.