Artists Statement
"I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say (s)he feels deeply, (s)he feels tenderly."
V Van Gogh
Adoration of animals, particularly horses from the age of five started my love of drawing and painting animals. I studied under Andrew McLaren at Newcastle University, my technique rooted in tradition; I keep correct proportions and accurate representation of the animals' physique and spirit without over sentimentality or an over photographic style. I now work in a variety of dry drawing media, acrylic and alkyd oil paints to produce a painterly finish.
I have exhibited across the UK and in London, New York and Dubai. My work is also included in private collections owned by Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Mrs John Francome.
Decades of serious allergies left me with this serious obsession; obsessed by the need to be close to animals, to touch, hold, caress, enjoy, paint.....own......
Horses bore the brunt of this desperate need, dogs and cats came a close second. In the need to fill this void I constantly painted animals, inspired by the silken shiny softness of their coats, their athleticism, the individual personality in those wise sparkling eyes, the partnership, their diversity and friendship and most of all the
effects of light playing over their form.
My recent work is becoming increasingly concerned with the fall of light over form and contra-jour effects where colour becomes distorted.
"A person who has never shared their life with animals would find my heart hard to read."
E J Lazenby
www.animalfineart.co.uk