“Dark Horse” the reinvention

Hurrah!  This week I have revisited an oil painting made for an exhibition "The Nature of the Horse" (2022).  I also checked a study made of Christian Hook's work (not shown here) and took inspiration from his magical combination of traditional…

“Dark Velvet”

A sketch from life made at the annual workshop run by Society of Equestrian Artists.  This was a few years ago and the workshop was near the north coast of Somerset.I found this piece the other day and added  a rich background of oil…

Blue Horse’s Head

Starting from the head portrait (below)  I have experimented with collage to explore the essential shapes.  I also painted some small loose sketches  

Royal Highland Show 2026

What a great time was had at the Highland Show.  I enjoyed meeting so many new people, sharing stories with my fabulous stall-holder neighbours, and not least selling a quantity of originals, prints and merch!  Long hard days with early…

Suddenly everything burst out singing

I have enjoyed a burst out with vistaprint software for my new calendar design.  Reworking and revisiting drawings in a different light.    More information to come when calendar published.

Happy Easter from the “Magic and Mystery” team (i.e me and framer)

It is live!   I am delighted with the show and hope to get lots of visitors.  I also hope this exhibition will be a springboard to much more.  As ever, I have learned so much by the whole process, from initial idea and research to planning…

“Magic and Mystery” exhibition, Dunblane Museum Gallery, April 2026

A new exhibition in April 2026 inspired by my visit to the earlier this year.   Here are some of the first drawings, all using chalk and charcoal on paper, around 35 x 26 cm.

Anatomy and imagination in horse art

This drawing is a big moment for me.  Although it looks very casual and quick, it is actually the result of years and years of study of the horse's anatomy, particularly the feet, legs and hindquarters.  I have been reading Gottfried Bammes…

Horse models and drawings

In an attempt to "solve" the problem of a particular sketch, I have now created small wire and tape models so that I can draw from different angles and loosen up my thinking.Taking this a bit further to show the horses in a mysterious…

Abstract monoprints September 2025

Process prints using monoprint and drawing into result to explore and have fun.  Using limited palette influenced by Japanese woodblock artist Hiroshige.  I will continue with this project through more drawing, construction, collage…