Thanks for checking out my latest blog. Here you can learn a bit more about my rediscovered passion for pastels and process behind my most recent paintings.

I’m so grateful to live by the coast and having had some extra time to focus on my art due to the closure of Seagrass, I’ve had opportunity to spend more time outdoors.

I started sketching outside and wanting to quickly capture the changing light at dusk, I experimented with various media. I was so excited when I took my ancient pastels with me and black paper; something clicked and I was hooked!

It’s really satisfying observing the changing skies at twilight, and before I know it, I’m donning my head torch and capturing that magical, fading light.

It feels almost spiritual at times, outside, often alone in the dark, paying close attention to my surroundings. It fills my heart up with deep gratitude and a sense of wonder.

Rediscovering soft pastels was revelatory. They blend seamlessly, so softly and seductively, yet enabling a build-up of luminous layers, as well as more textural and gestural mark making. I now know why they were my chosen sketching medium all those years ago on my degree course.

I will continue making my pastel sketches which inform my paintings done in the studio, but they may well also become works of art in their own right.

Here’s a short video of my latest sketches – hope you like!

Finally, may I take this opportunity to wish you and yours a love filled Christmas and a more positive and hopeful new year.