About my fundraising
You can buy the original of any of these paintings (unframed). Just make me an offer! Alternatively, you can commission me to do a watercolour of your house, or a favourite view, or a portrait of a member of your family. Whatever you pay me goes to charity. I am raising money for a small charity, Prisoners Education Trust (I am the vice-chair). The Trust offers prisoners the chance to educate themselves via distance learning. Education is one of the best ways to raise prisoners’ self esteem and prevent them re-offending when they are released. This is a win-win-win; fewer victims of crime, more ex-prisoners going straight, less burdeon on you, the tax payer (it costs approximately £40,000 a year to keep someone in prison). When you buy one of my watercolours, the whole of your donation goes straight to the charity.
My watercolours
I love painting watercolours, not so much for the outcome, more for the process. When I’m painting I enjoy a feeling of ‘flow’ – where I am so engrossed that nothing can intrude (except meal times – the kitchen table is often my studio!).
Mostly I paint landscapes and portraits – always in watercolour. I always start with an idea in my head of what the painting should look like. This is a pity because the finished painting very rarely matches my ‘vision’. Sometimes I paint outside, on my little canvas stool, but more often I do sketches and take photographs to use as a reference. When painting portraits, I have never yet had the courage to ask anyone to sit for me. My portraits are a purely clandestine activity. I’d hate to inconvenience the sitter, especially if things didn’t work out and I had to throw the painting away! (If I’m not happy with a painting, I always tear it up.)
I’m not particularly keen on drawing. For me drawing is just a necessary step to get through as quickly as possible so that I can start painting. Getting watercolours to do what I want them to do is what really intrigues me. They are prone to misbehaving and too much fiddling makes them muddy and dull. As the painting develops, I frequently prop it up on the dresser and stand back to take a long hard look. Sometimes I leave the room and return suddenly to catch the painting unawares and see it, for a few seconds, with fresh pair of eyes!
I have no idea how I decide that a painting is finished. When, somehow, I decide, I pin the painting on a notice board in the kitchen and live with it for a few weeks. Subsequently, I might make some small adjustments – but this is rare.
So, for me painting is essentially a selfish activity, but I can’t deny that if you like the finished article (and say so!) I’m pleased (very pleased actually!).
If you see a painting you particularly like, you can have the original – not mounted or framed. Just send me an email making me an offer (all the money goes to charity) and I will let you know if it is still available.
