Recent work: Unseen Processes

Unseen No.1     2017
Oil paint with cold wax medium and other media on board
750x550mm plus frame

Unseen No.2       2017
Oil paint with cold wax medium and other media on board
750x550mm plus frame

The processes that occur in the universe at the smallest end of the scale have been a continuing source of inspiration for me.  In his book of poems ‘On the Nature of things’,  Roman poet and philosopher Lucretius Carus wrote in c90BC that ‘nature ever by unseen processes works’. He was referring to the theories of the ancient Greek atomists 500 years before that, who believed that all matter was made of atoms or indivisible particles.   

In modern particle physics, the uncertain world of quantum mechanics explains how all matter and energy in the universe behaves on an atomic and subatomic level.  

Light, Time and Space        2017/18
Oil paint with cold wax medium and other media on board
750x550mm plus frame

To make these works I’ve used oil paint mixed with wax medium and incorporated particles of materials such as sand, ash and marble dust to build up textures as well as add meaning.  

Many thanks to David Lupton for taking such great photos of my work.

'Beach Days' new work for Manawatu Art and Garden Trail, January 20-21 2018

Waikanae with Rain
Oil paint, cold wax and marble dust on board & frame, with polymer casting, sand, 
metal patina & gold leaf

Plimmerton Heads: Late Afternoon
Oil paint, cold wax and marble dust on board & frame, with polymer casting, metal patina and gold leaf

Waikanae: Sun setting over Kapiti Island
Oil paint, cold wax and marble dust on board & frame, with metal patina & gold leaf

Waikanae, Late Afternoon
Oil paint, cold wax and marble dust on board & frame, with polymer casting, sand, 
metal patina & gold leaf

Waikanae Beach: Passing Shower
Oil paint, cold wax and marble dust on board & frame, sand, metal patina & gold leaf

Kapiti Coast Looking South
Oil paint, cold wax and marble dust on board & frame, with polymer casting,
metal patina & gold leaf

Raumati Beach: Setting Sun
Oil paint, cold wax and marble dust on board & frame, with polymer casting,
metal patinas & gold leaf

Foxton Beach with Kapiti Island
Oil paint, cold wax and marble dust on board & frame, with polymer casting, sand, 
metal patina & gold leaf

Beach holidays over several years provided the imagery for this series of small mixed media works.  Gazing at the sea and contemplating my place in the universe was the underlying motivation.  I like the way Amercian physicist, Richard Feynman, put it in the last verse of his poem  'Atoms With Consciouness, Matter With Curiosity'.

Stands at the sea, 
wonders at wondering: I
a universe of atoms
an atom in the universe.

Foxton Heads: From the Boat Ramp No.2
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board,  140x190mm

Palm Beach, Waiheke Island: morning after a storm
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board,  140x190mm

Crossing Hauraki Gulf
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board.   140x190mm     SOLD

Foxton Heads: From the Boat Ramp No. 1
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board,  140x190mm

Waikanae with Sun Setting over Kapiti No. 1
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board,  140x190mm           SOLD

Paekakariki: Late Afternoon
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board,  140x190mm             SOLD

Foxton Beach: Afternoon
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board,  140x190mm

Waikanae: Sun Setting over Kapiti Island  No. 2
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board,  140x190mm 

Raumati with Passing Shower
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board,  140x190mm

Cloud, Land and Sea
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board,  140x190mm

My gallery will be open from 10.00am to 4.00pm both days.  Tickets for the Art Trail are available from FADAS, Feilding
You are welcome to visit my gallery any time by appoinment.    phone

New mixed media works at Consignment Gallery Feilding

Four of my recent mixed media maquettes can be seen at Consignment Gallery, Feilding, 236 Kimbolton Rd, as part of the Art Trail, September 30 and October 1.  

Forces and Fields No. 1   2017

Forces and Fields No. 2     2017

Forces and Fields No.3   2017

Fields and Forces No.4   2017

Details of current work in progress

Oil paint with cold wax medium, sand, ash, pigment and metal patinas 
on board, 190x140mm.

The Nature of Things

The Nature of Things  (A Goldilocks Universe)
2016
Encaustic and oil stick on board, 200x600mm

This work continues the theme of the 'Goldilocks' Universe; how the deep forces that shape the universe are just right to have resulted in at least one planet where life could evolve. If these forces were to change in the least way life as we know it would disappear.
The landscape element is based on a view of Ben Ohau across the lake.
The catenary was inspired by Jasper John's works from the 1990s.
The work is currently in the Green Party Auction.

Putting the pieces together: a work in progress

Unseen Bodies No.1
Oil paint and cold wax medium with sand, ash and metal oxides on board.
750 x 650 mm. 

The small works have now been assembled to make a larger work.   Now for the final touches.

New work using cold wax medium

Due to a shoulder injury a few months ago I've had to put encaustic painting aside for a while and instead have been exploring the possibilities of working with cold wax medium combined with oil paint, dry pigments, ash, sand and other media. These works are quite small and I plan to incorporate them into larger works later.  They are on board.

Underlying these works are ideas about invisible processes, time and space. The interactions of subatomic particles are believed to be responsible for the formation of all the matter and energy.