The process that lead me to a finished painting often involves a series of discoveries. Although I decide upon the subject of a painting before I begin, I rarely know what the final result will be as I use a variety of media to create a finished piece.

I begin by texturing the support on which I am going to paint; whether I am using paper, board or canvas, by layering with various papers. Once dry, I apply a coat of gesso and put the work aside. I sometimes prepare a number of these in advance and use each one as I need it. The random textures that I create in this way often leads to the first discovery and can suggest a new way of interpreting the subject I had in mind.

I will then start the process of applying colour and shape to the painting. Sometimes I a led by the mood of the piece and will start with a series of blues and ochres. At other times warm reds and oranges seem to need to dominate and the entire painting can evolve around this mood.

I never draw the outline of the painting beforehand, composing the picture as I work, which also adds to a feeling of discovery. Shapes appear as I apply planes of colour, and I will exploit these if they seem exciting, layering one colour over another and scraping back to the layers beneath.

I am particularly interested in the design element of the painting. It is important to me that the colours sit happily together and that I am creating interesting shapes within the composition. By experimenting with layers, shapes and colour, I am often surprised by the effects that can be achieved, keeping the process of painting constantly stimulating.