"Thunder" is now in situ in her home. 

"Thunder" was the name that I christened her during my working process. It is not uncommon for me to have a period of frustration when working on a piece. This one was no exception, and I felt at one point that I was really fighting to give a life and soul to this work. Hence the emergence of her very apt name.

However, it is often a good sign, as it is at this point that my painting turns a corner. Maybe it is my temper that causes my marks to become more punchy and functional as opposed to fluffy and illustrative.  

My patron and family came to view how their work work was going in my studio. At This stage "Thunder" had coined its name so in my mind had turned the corner to now "working" and having a life and movement of its own. However, the comments that made me really think were along the lines of "I like it when the marks are bold and have an energy and confidence in them" - to me they were wording the last, final, marks that would complete the work. The throwing of paint onto the surface, predominantly white, lumps and strokes of paint that emphasise the "whoosh", and energy of the water as it curls and folds with the weight and strength characteristic of the wild and open ocean.  

This was good to hear, and reminded me why my work is not illustrative, but more an expressive interpretation of a transient moment in time, a feeling of energy of the magnitude of momentum that I love delivered by this wonderful creation of nature. 

Im not an illustrator and have never pretended to be - happy to leave that to the masters of such be they water colour artists, pastel or oil painters whose style is to reproduce some times photographically moments in time. Like a snap shot. Super realism being the extreme of this, but there are also many practitioners whose style is to concentrate on depicting sights as accurately as possible that the onlooker can see as being so close to the real thing.

However, my concern is more that of capturing and depicting the energy and vitality of the open ocean. To capture and evoke the sensations felt akin to "being there." label wise I guess this makes me more of an "expressive" artist. My journey with my art is constant, as I continue to explore ways to translate feelings, sensations and energy onto my panels.  

Forever thankful for supporters and collectors of my work. Feelings of insecurity for me come hand in hand with the vulnerability of being a fine artist. Mark making is personal if it is to be effective. 

note to oneself - embrace my own style and flow with it. You cannot please all of the people all of the time. Its not a popularity contest - leave that to those who need this to thrive. Continue to do what I do best - express and when necessary - throw paint!!!