Islamic Patterns

Here are some of my variations on Islamic geometric patterns taught by Samira Mian.

I find it isn’t a creative but more a reproductive process that requires precision and concentration. As such, it makes for great relaxation. Once I finish the base pattern construction, I enjoy making my own additions by highlighting hidden patterns, removing some outlines to add a swirling motion or by adding a border.

All in watercolour on paper, between 150 x 150 mm and 250 x 250 mm.

April 2018

The Western Hemisphere

The Western Hemisphere

The Western Hemisphere

Oil, turpentine and gravity on canvas, 1000 x 1000 mm

Indigo, Phthalo Turquoise, Indian Yellow, Cadmium Yellow, Alizarin Crimson, Titanium White.

The fourth and last of the large hemisphere paintings. Obviously I was running out of steam with this one although I hope that it will grow on me over time. It certainly has a lot of cosmos to explore!

One World

one world owl

One World Series

Digitally printed lino cutting.

Each is a genuine lino cut, approximately A6 in size. The cut lino is scanned, mirrored, then “lasso” selected in image processing software (I use Gimp). The “lasso” selection preserves the natural randomness without ink-stained fingers. The selection is then filled with a gradient, a canvas texture is applied, cut out and pasted onto a new white canvas of the same size. Voila!

Digital lino prints, and I am well pleased with this invention.

The Eastern Hemisphere

The Eastern Hemisphere

The Eastern Hemisphere

Oil, turpentine and gravity on canvas,
1000 x 1000 mm

Indigo, Alizarian Crimson, Indian Yellow, Cadmium Yellow, Titanium White

This became a lot more violent than envisioned, but somethings life is that way.

The Northern Hemisphere

The Northern Hemisphere

Oil on canvas, 1000 x 1000 mm
Phthalo Turqoise, Titanium White
January 2018

A new style and good fun. I am certain this one doesn’t work very well on the screen; you really need to see it in the wild due to its size. It’s quite a sight and we love it.

 

 

Naxos Triptich

From left to right:

Naxos in Anticipation
Naxos As We Found It
Plakos (What We Saw From Naxos)

Oil on coarse sack cloth, 500 x 200 mm approx.

These were painted before a 2017 trip to Naxos (“… in anticipation”), after our return when the colours of sky and sea were swapped (“… as we found it”), and what we actually saw from Naxos (Plakos, the neighbouring island, and the most beautiful sunsets).

These are quick paintings on coarse sack cloth. Held against a window or a light source, these are almost invisible see-through things which emerge as a painting only when viewed against a wall. I like that effect.

Saint Pierre et Paul Rosheim

Saint Pierre et Paul Rosheim

The humble sandstone is trickier than I thought, but here it is: the lovely 12th century church of Saint-Pierre-et-Paul in beautiful Rosheim, Alsace, France.

Detail view.

Oil on canvas, 900 x 600 mm.
August 2017

Pinch To Zoom And Rotate

Pinch To Zoom And Rotate

Oil on canvas, 900 x 600 mm
March 2017

Certainly not a masterpiece, but my best self-portrait so far.

That’s what happens when watching too much of Sky Art’s Portrait Artist of the Year competition on the telly and close-up during production in London’s most excellent Wallace Gallery.