Grey (grey squirrel)

Artist Statement

‘I have always been surrounded by animals; growing up on the edge of Epping Forest and, as a child, spending much of my time watching birds and animals and avoiding formal education. People tell me that I still stop half-way through a sentence to watch a bird fly past.

‘My work is all about the fragility of the natural world; it is intense and tightly controlled, often using extreme close-up where nearly every hair or feather can be seen. Many of the creatures painted are portrayed alone reflecting the catastrophic loss of their habitat.

‘I study my subjects meticulously, and in the studio I create my paintings from field sketches, photographs and research undertaken in zoos and animal collections, from books, online and in museums. This allows me to paint with both accuracy and a feeling for the subject.

‘I love painting the texture of feathers, fur, and scales; these creatures fill me with a sense of awe which I try to capture in my work.’