I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work on a project to paint the ancient Meads owned by Wolfson College, Oxford.
I am conscious that I am often somewhat physically removed from my subject. As canvases have become larger, I justified studio work as a necessary compromise due to the prohibitive logistics of taking the act of painting outdoors, into fields and forests. But I’m delighted to say that the college are generously allowing me to set up my easel and paint in these very rare meadows in order to create a body of work outdoors. It’s a great opportunity to liberate my practice beyond the studio walls, working with real-time events and exposure to ‘the elements’, being constantly present in the moment, being emotionally available and in direct physical contact with the subject. Much of my work focuses on the natural environment. Through the existential act of painting en plein air, I want to try to allow the natural world to speak through the medium of paint.
In this project, I propose to work, as near as possible, exclusively en plein air, the purpose of which is not so much about how I set about working on the subject, but to better allow the subject to work on me. By siting myself, for example, in a meadow, I will be removing barriers which might otherwise obstruct the conduit between subject and painting. I can’t overestimate how special this subject is. The history of the ownership and agricultural management of these few acres of land can be traced back over 500 years, during which time there has been no ploughing and no fertilisers, herbicides, or pesticides.
Of course, I am at the mercy of the weather gods, who have so far been rather severe. Dry sunny days are what I asked for, but I got rather more of that than I bargained for. Notwithstanding, I’ve got some way with a series of mid-summer meadows. It is very much a work in progress. See Youtube for a few videos.
The project will extend throughout 2026 and into spring 2027 so that I can follow changes through the seasons. The finished series will form a solo show at Wolfson in autumn 2027. Details to follow.
Whether intentional or not, paintings convey meanings. I want these works, as ambassadors for environmental matters, to promote a greater awareness, respect and appreciation of the natural world.