The Gaia Collection
I have always been fascinated by nature. My mum and gran are both keen gardeners, and my dad is an avid sailor, this meant that growing up we often spent a lot of time outdoors. Even in the depths of winter my mum's impressive houseplant collection brought a sense of the outside within. On top of that we've always had animals in the home, from stick insects and goldfish, to chickens and horses.
As a family our relationship with nature has been intrinsically symbiotic.
On this basis I have chosen to record my experience with Mother Earth in The Gaia Collection - her fierce strength juxtaposed against a quiet delicateness occasionally mistaken for weakness.
Title: The Big Dancing Flower Thingy
Date: February 2021
Size: approximately 120 cm X 80 cm
Medium: Acrylic on rescued stretched canvas
Availability: Limited edition prints available - Please email for details
About the Piece: My mum has an amazing Magnolia tree in her garden. It sits pride of place with its amazing dramatic, blousy flowers. It's possibly the ultimate statement blossom.
When I had finished preparing this large water-damaged canvas, I knew exactly what I wanted to create. I am thrilled with the way this piece turned out, it's one of my absolute favourites!
Title: Thorn To Be Wild
Date: February 2021
Size: 40 cm X 60 cm
Medium: Acrylic and gold leaf on canvas board
Availability: Original Piece available, Limited edition prints available - Please email for details
About the Piece: Thorn To Be Wild came about because I wanted to play with contrasting colours.
I personally prefer a cooler palette, so throwing in the vibrant red and highlighting it further with gold leaf was a bit of a risk. I think it paid off though - lending a dauntless energy to something as simple and graceful as a white rose.
Title: Ice Cream Rose
Date: February 2021
Size: 35 cm X 35 cm
Medium: Acrylic on recycled cardstock
Availability: Original Piece available, Limited edition prints available - Please email for details
About the Piece: Wild roses are some of my all time favourite flowers to paint. They are just so pretty. On a sunny day they catch the light and glow with a luna-esque beauty.
This piece was a bit of fun on a grey winter's afternoon. I knew I wanted a warm background to really highlight the cool tones in the petals.
The title came about once the painting was dry - after a slightly thicker than normal application - the texture of the paint made me think of ice cream!
Title: Yo; Boom, Flowers!
Date: March 2021
Size: 40 cm X 60 cm
Medium: Acrylic on canvas board
Availability: Original Piece available, Limited edition prints available - Please email for details
About the Piece: Spring has finally hit, and the garden is starting to break out in a riot of blossoms. The scents are heady and the colours are impressive!
We have snow drops, blue bells, daffodils, hyacinths, and the first rose buds - just to name a few - all making an appearance.
This seasonal explosion is not only the inspiration behind the painting, but also its quirky name - it's a natural firework display!
Title: Gran's Ostara Bouquet
Date: March 2021
Size: approximately 40 cm X 40 cm
Medium: Acrylic on stretched Paper
Availability: Limited edition prints available - Please email for details
About the Piece: In a normal year, I would be buying my Mum and Gran flowers for Mother's Day and gradually filling the house with more and more flowers in celebration of spring.
This year I decided to offer an alternative bouquet.
The grey was one of my first attempts at an acrylic pour. I made the mix myself, experimenting with various paints and diluting mediums. I think the marble effect is incredible if I do say so myself. Then, I added the bouquet in pink because I knew the brighter tones would stand out brilliantly against the background.