Q&A

What's the purpose or goal of your work?

I have spent my life looking for something beautiful in my work, something meaningful and worthwhile. I am driven by the natural world and all its magical revelations and as I have aged, this fascination has morphed into the backgrounds for my narrative pieces. Pieces about life, society, humanity, pieces about hope.

How do you navigate the professional art industry?

This industry and career has changed a lot since I first started showing, back in the 80s. It was a career with more painting and deliberation and contemplation, Where you spoke with your gallery on a weekly basis as you shipped or dropped new work to them. Now I would spend as much time painting as I would with the admin side of my career, It is not worse, nor better, just different but a very necessary part of this modern art world, as contact and promotion, inquiry and submission, social media growth and presence has to be maintained.

How has your style changed over time?

I am probably painting over 40 years now, I am self thought, as it was my only option when I was young. It is a very slow progression but very rewarding, it brings you down paths that you may have otherwise been warned to steer clear of. But everything we do, we learn from. I started out with a form of magical realism and slowly drifted into abstraction, then came back to realism and am tipping into magical realism again, as the circle becomes complete

Do you have a network of other artists, and how do they support you?

I have maintained a good relationship with many of the artists that I have met along the way. I believe it important, as I can bounce ideas off people I know will answer me honestly. I also get to see their new ideas, styles, reasons and encouragement, when you’re lucky. It's like living abroad in a foreign city, but having a small band of people who all speak your language.

Is there a specific environment or material that's integral to your work?

For me, I like the studio to be mine, as in, I like to work alone, music going, canvases in all states of progression, books and reference at hand. I always tend to have the studio in my home, I like to wake up and walk straight in, fresh eyes, see many things. It also allows me to eat and live with the work and this can bring good closure to some pieces.

What factors influence the price of your work?

Sales and accomplishments are the real triggers for my prices to increase. It is seen as a sign of success to have elevating prices every few years but it is also a precarious path, as the more money your work commands you may find yourself in a shallower pool of clients. But as we grow we sometimes spend longer on our works and this reduces our output, which in turn, increases our prices.

How do you manage a work-life balance as an artist?

I travel as much as I can. I will do residencies abroad, get out of my comfort zone, and experience new places and people. I will get in my car and drive to Europe for months on end, away from the repetition of day to day life. I will paint and travel and then return to the studio refreshed and start the whole process again.

What is the best advice you have received in your career?

I met a painter on a flight to South Africa back in the 80s. He was famous in SA and I was only starting out. I was in the seat next to him and we chatted over the 12 hour flight. He was very generous with his experience and knowledge and told me that I needed to find that one thing that I would never tire of as this will also be the one thing I excel at. I need to work it, until it becomes my nature, then I can wander into any unknown territory for I will be well equipped.