This is a series of acrylic paintings I completed over the Winter of 2009/2010, some were new ideas, some derived from recent carvings and some had existed as sketches for a couple of years (hence the dates for the work) before I finally got round to transferring to canvas.

They were all inspired by my long-standing interest in computer graphics and my intent to use 'white space'  as an arena of limitless and unspecified depth, to let the observers mind's eye fill in what I have left out. I am most interested in the clumsiness of computer graphics when they try and ape human technique and I also want to explore the things computers do well (and we don't) i.e. regular form and colour.

                                     

                                             Double balaclava portrait       2007-10

                                              Acrylic on canvas             102 x 152 cm

                                                                    FOR SALE

This painting expresses exactly the concept I wanted, human brushstrokes mimicking computer-drawn shapes to the end of creating a picture that needs human perception to fill in the subtleties

                                       Acrylic on canvas           152 x 168 cm

                                                           FOR SALE

I really like clip-art, apart from its graphic qualities, I like that it's a visual shorthand and applicable to different contexts, movable, scaleable. So this painting used this idea and linked it to my previous 'feigning arm' sculpture. 'Apprehension' is a funny word in that it means three different things - fear, understanding and grabbing hold of, if these three meanings coincide, as with this painting, it is the most apt title.

                                                           I'm ok             2009-10

                                              Acrylic on canvas          122 x 122 cm      

                                                         PRIVATE COLLECTION

                                              Half man in landscape          2008-10

                                             Acrylic  on canvas              152 x 168 cm

                                                                    FOR SALE

These two paintings were derived from a PVC tape 'drawing' I did in 2008, which is pretty much  the ' Halfman in landscape' picture, 'I'm ok' is a derivation of the 'Halfman' theme. For the original drawing, I used the black tape in short pieces to build up a collage for the figure - I was trying to replicate the clumsiness of primitive computer graphics. I also used the hackneyed silhouette technique as it emphasised the outline shape which as a sculptor I know is very important in defining form. I simplified in order to create more visual impact but by reducing other aspects of the picture I was able to control where the emphasis was, where I wanted it to be.

I also wanted to portray an uneasy humour and in some ways subvert the extensive use of silhouettes in popular graphic design.

More painted acrylic work from 2011:

                               Nil-nil goal-less no-score draw          2011

               Acrylic paint, PVC tape and pencil on canvas       45 x 53 cm

                                                      FOR SALE

                                                    7½  (XL)         2011

           Acrylic paint on canvas with painted wooden frame       75 x 85 cm

                                                       FOR SALE

                                                  Kurve-balls           2011

              Acrylic paint, biro and marker pen on canvas             118 x 122 cm

                                                           FOR SALE

This painting is my response to being shown that damn Kulber-Ross 'change curve' repeatedly at work, I was thinking it has little bearing on the complexity of reality. I also wanted to utilise the whiteboard-aesthetic with the picture, using quick, artless marker-pen drawing overlaying previous 'rubbed out' drawing. Appropriate ineptitude.