Currently I work on wooden structures; I love the surface of wood, and the fact that it is strong enough to withstand a lot of abuse. I have a background in printmaking so it was a natural progression for me to go from copper plates that I could etch deeply, to wood that I could sand and scrape. Within the areas of etching and mixed media, I have developed a real passion for surface and materials.

I typically start on a series of works all at once, building up surfaces through a process of collage (adhering paper to the wood) and wet media (ink, acrylic washes, varnish). The media that I use are mostly water soluble but I also incorporate oil based glazes, varnishes and waxes. This combination of oil & water based material causes peeling and cracking, which exposes various layers underneath. Sanding is intrinsic to the entire process, not only because it allows for the mixing of such media but also because it contributes to the worn, polished surface. It’s important that the final works are still quite tactile but smooth to the touch.

It is this unpredictable way of working that I find so intriguing. The physical act of sanding, painting, gluing, pouring, wiping is very ritualistic and reassuring, but what happens with the way I apply the materials is impossible to foresee. When I feel I’ve achieved the right kind of equilibrium between the process, media and imagery, which can take weeks or months, sometimes years, the work is complete.