FEMALE ICONS
Images of mature, female celebrities were starting points for this series of paintings. I was tired of ‘women of a certain age’ being overlooked and not appreciated for their undeniable talent and wisdom so I wanted to celebrate their humour, resilience and creative energy. The images are recognisable but I am not a photo-realist painter. The colour has to be delicious enough to make your mouth water and the surface seductive enough to make you want to touch it.
Vivienne Westwood, 2019, Oil on Canvas
Annie Lennox, 2019, Oil on Canvas
Jo Brand, 2019, Oil on Canvas
Miriam Margolyes, 2019, Oil on Canvas
Kathy Burke, 2019, Oil on Canvas
Olivia Colman, 2019, Oil on Canvas
BOYS KEEP SWINGING
This series of portraits explores the phenomenon of men exploring their sexuality by putting on a dress. I worked from images of an iconic group of male performers and began to discover the layers of honesty, courage, and vulnerability that exist beneath the initial shock or laughter.
Greta, 2020, Oil on Canvas
Izzy, 2020, Oil on Canvas
MOLLY HOUSE
Once the current pandemic is under control I have arranged to visit two professional drag queens to listen to their stories and paint them from life. I remain fascinated by the lives of individuals who are too often misunderstood or unappreciated and are determined to shine a loving spotlight on them.
Molly, 2019, Oil on Canvas