In Good Company
My creative process is a spontaneous one with what I like to consider to involve little contrivance. I Kick off pieces by making emotively driven marks upon the surface of whatever fabric I have taken a fancy to using in that moment and, depending on how impulsive the drive to create is, I tend to avoid preplanning or sketching.
Although I am influenced by many historical painters, I feel that over time my style has become distilled, greatly simplified and has emerged to present its own truth and character; filled with rawness, vibrancy and dynamism.
Taking cues from my immediate surroundings and the natural world, I am attracted to using raw pigments; letting the pure colours direct my hand on either canvas, cardboard, wood, paper, clothing (anything I can get my hands on really).
I aim to create a different experience for the viewer every time they revisit a single piece; stimulating them to use their imagination, or follow their feelings to a new discovery within the creation.
Overall, I want them to smile, feel happiness and excitement and enjoy the experience each piece generates within them.
Each mark or stroke is guided by a subconscious process and since being diagnosed I now fully understand how my neurodiversity not only affects my work but controls every line, mark and stroke I make.
Mission
My Industry experience has included graphics, printing, photography, and darkroom specialisms.
I have 40 years of personal creative development which has included tutoring in the community. This time has allowed me to hone the process which has slowly emerged from within me to inform my current way of painting. It has also allowed me to assist students recovering from life challenges such as stroke, addiction and other real life impacting issues. The courses and workshops I created and facilitated contributed significantly in the emotional rehabilitation of many members of the sessions, something which I felt incredibly humbled by.
Biography
Exhibitions
2022 Steel & Varley Optometrists Whitley Bay, Local Business supporting local art in the community.
2021 – 2022 Exhibition Innside Newcastle.
2021 Work displayed permanently rooms and suites Innside Newcastle.
2019 – 2020. Solo Exhibition Chester-le-Street Masonic Hall.
2001 – 2015. Solo Exhibitions at Civic Hall Stanley Co Durham.
2013 Permanent Exhibition of children’s art in the Royal Victoria Infirmary Newcastle upon Tyne.
2013 Exhibition Tanfield Railway Shed.
2013 Lit and Phil Exhibition Newcastle upon Tyne.
2011 Exhibition Glenroyd House Consett.
2010. Solo Exhibition Bondgate Gallery Bishop Auckland.
2000 – 2010 Public and private commissioned mural work for day centres, homes, retirement homes, churches, hospices and hospitals.
2009. Culture shock film produced and exhibition of works Discovery Museum Newcastle upon Tyne.
2006. Shipley Art Gallery Gateshead.
2003 Exhibition La Boca Newcastle upon Tyne.
2002. Solo Exhibition Rear House Gallery in Stanley Co Durham.
Residencies
2015 – 2017 Painting demonstrations and exhibiting live at the Sage Gateshead interviewed by Radio Sunderland.
2013 – 2014 Live painting demonstration in John Lewis Newcastle upon Tyne, boosting sales.
2013 – 2014 Lino Cut and Christmas card demonstration in John Lewis Newcastle upon Tyne boosting sales.
2011 – 2013 Commission/residency for Brave Hearts of the North East and Clic Sargent at the R.V.I. Permanent display Children’s Atrium.
2000 – 2010 Public and private commissioned mural work for day centres, homes retirement homes, churches, hospices, and hospitals.
2002 – 2003 The Activity Den residency and mural painting.
2000 – 2001 Residency the Toby Henderson Trust Stannington Morpeth Murals, artwork, art publication interview with BBC and Tyne Tees.
C h a r i t a b l e G i v i n g
2013 - 2016 Brave Hearts of the North East
2015 Painting donation to Grace House North East and converting image to wallpaper via Original Wallpaper Company.
2013 – 2015. Macmillan Donations
2013 Children’s Heart Unit Foundation (CHUF)
2013. Children in Need
2011 – 2013 Peoples Kitchen Donations
2007. Lord Mayors invitation private reception recognising my charitable giving.
2002 – 2005 Scope and Mencap through auctions viaCarl & Abi at Busyape Arts.
C o l l a b o r a t i o n s
2016 – Present Black Penny Design
2022. Christopher Hodge Northumbria University Fashion Communication, Presentation Athens Greece.
2013 - 2016 Original Wallpaper Company S t u d i o s
2013 - 2015 Opened studio at Civic Hall Stanley Co Durham
2010 Opened studio Glenroyd House Consett
G r a n t s
Lottery Fund, Durham County Council, Arts Council, Local Council Funds
2013 – 2015 Civic Hall Stanley
2010 Glenroyd House
2007 Materials
2001 Tanfield Community Studio
P r e s s a n d M e d i a
C o v e r a g e
2016 Bikerventions featured in Devitt insurance Blog with interview
2016 The Crack Magazine
June 2015 Northern Echo
2015 / 2011 / 1996 John Lewis publications, Gazette & Chronicle June
2013 Interview Creative Crafting Magazine
June 2013 Evening Chronicle and Journal interview
April 2013 C.D. cover design & Evening Chronicle feature
February 2013 Living North Magazine
2006 Work seen by H.R.H. Countess of Wessex
2004 Northern Echo Donation and Feature
2002 Northern Echo feature
2001 Morpeth Herald Evening Chronicle Journal Sunday Sun
2001 Interviewed for BBC and Tyne Tees, Toby Henderson Trust.
2001 Northern Echo donations and fundraising
P u b l i c a t i o n s
2015 Printing of Bikerventions
2001 I Wish I Was Normal Collection of Poetry and Illustrations for Toby Henderson Trust
