At 50 years of age I finally got around to the painting I’d only thought about doing every day of my life. This led to 10 solid years of painting Australian flora in oils. It was, however, a chance decision 3 years ago in Paris to sit in front of, and sketch, Notre Dame Cathedral, which unexpectedly caused a marked shift in my art practice. A beautiful Paris summer evening, in the cool shade of the cathedral, as the sun sank behind it, combined perfectly to ignite a passion to continue urban sketching as I travelled around Europe. (It probably helped that I was very happy with my drawing!)
Further location sketches followed, and when return to Australia made the architecture and history I had so enjoyed drawing unavailable, I began to draw from the photos I had taken. The three years since have been a journey of the unexpected: the amazing worldwide scope of work within the genre of architectural drawing; developing new skills using different media, finding my own particular style; the world of social media and the arts; and, probably most surprising of all to me, creating an online drawing course.
To me, my drawing style is strongly characterised by: technical accuracy within a loose, freehand drawing line; drawing the effect of complex detail (rather than the actual detail itself); and creating a strong sense of depth within the plane.
The addition of monochromatic tone is the most recent development in my work, and I find myself using darker tones and contrasts to increase visual drama as I progress.
At times I feel as if I am the oldest person on Instagram, and can be quite overwhelmed at the artistic possibilities it can offer. I even wonder sometimes if the tail wags the dog. Mostly, however, I feel inspired and energised by the encouragement, inspiration, opportunities and contacts it provides. Such as this one.
