Bedside Lamp On, 2024

‘Bedside Lamp On’ has about three to four paintings underneath. Whenever a painting hits a roadblock and frustrations begin, I usually do a fast and furious paint over. This has become part of my creative process and I’m learning to trust my instincts in the need to almost ‘wreck’ the painting. I’ve dubbed this moment as the ‘make it ugly’ stage and it inevitably helps me to turn a corner and resolve the painting. ‘Bedside Lamp On’ takes me to that moment at the end of the day when you climb into bed and think about all the weird interactions you had with people that day. Life is messy, fast paced and so many moments are non-intentional. But then you turn the lamp off, go to sleep and it’s okay.

I picked up a paintbrush for the first time four years ago and instantly felt an inner calm and authenticity in who I am. I am lucky enough to live in a beautiful place called South Arm and I spend my time painting in a small spare bedroom. How lucky am I! All my paintings are a celebration of colour and each one takes me on a curious journey. A painting begins with loose, gestural marks, with one brush stroke leading to another. I love to work in fast drying acrylics and build layers with details hidden and revealed. This creative ‘dance’ between intentional and spontaneous will forever keep me coming back to the canvas.