September began with a real treat: being part of Inside the Box in Hove, curated by TBOY (aka Trevor), which brought together artists from all over the world. Wolfgang Stiller's matchstick figures were on another level. It was a busy, buoyant show, and brilliant to see so many visual languages side by side, from ceramic and embroidery to metal and textiles. The art scene down in Brighton and Hove is very much alive.
Back in the studio, I've made the biggest paintings of my life. Late Summer East Head is 1 x 1.5m. Working at that scale meant pushing my mediums harder than ever, sustaining movement, drama and a sense of distance across a vast surface without it ever becoming static. I've been leaning into blues: duck egg, cerulean, cobalt, ultramarine and turquoise, the colours this coast gives us from late summer into autumn.
I used to find a massive canvas intimidating. Now I can't wait to get started. One of my tutors, Ian McKeever, always said go big, and he was right. A bigger painting has a bigger impact, and ultimately my work is meant to be felt, not just seen. These are paintings you can sit in, where you feel the tide coming in and going out and watch the light move.
Later in the month I caught up with Tim and Chris at the Chichester University fine art degree show. Sadly, it's the last one, as the course will no longer be run there – an absolute travesty! It made me think hard about how I can further share my 30 year career with the next generation. So looking ahead, I'm turning my attention to working with young art and design students as a visiting lecturer. More on that soon.
MY NOW LEGENDARY END OF YEAR SALE
It’s time to clear the decks (my studio). As my lovely subscribers, you get the first look.
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"Creativity is as important as literacy.” Sir Ken Robinson