As a child I loved to go tree climbing in a wood close to my home. The wood and garden had been bequeathed to residents for their enjoyment and recreation. Eventually a car park was built over part of it. The photograph was taken recently of what remains of one of my favourite trees. The grain of the wood is so beautiful, it reminds me of Van Gogh’s swirling skies.

Made during lockdown this microshort began as an experiment using multiple painted self-portraits. They were painted rapidly using both mirror and iPad (selfie mode) for reference. The many attempts at trying to describe myself reminded me of the last time I bought photos from a photo booth. The sort you might use for a passport - lockdown dreaming.

In this version of the animation my hands are seen holding the photograph. The film was made in February 2021 during the pandemic. The image shows my mother’s sitting room shortly after her death in 1996. At the centre of the photograph is my mother’s armchair where she spent many evenings knitting, reading, and watching tv. Whilst photoshopping myself into the chair I imagined myself back in the comfort and security of the family home.

Created during the pandemic, this film combines a drawing of my living room and a series of acrylic sketches on transparency film.

A matryoshka, aka russian doll, hides many versions of themselves inside.  There was no plan, title, or chosen topic when I started to make this film. The drawings were all created on a single sheet of paper.  Each drawing was erased before being replaced by the next one.  Although the figure doesn’t really resemble me, and is possibly even masculine, I think the animation is about my experiences of frustration.  I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease at the age of 49 that affects my muscles and joints and hinders my mobility.  As time goes on, I feel increasing physical limitations and a gradual slide towards a possible loss of independence.

This animation enables you to see what I see as I examine a photograph taken of myself as a new born baby. My ageing eyes contain a myriad of particles called "floaters", all swooshing about in the vitreous humour, hindering clear vision. The film was originally made as a project for the web called “Vitreous Humour.” The website was completed in 2006 and was funded by the Arts Council of England.
This is an explanatory quote in the project’s introduction: - “In this age of `high definition’ I have taken a contrary interest in technology's failings, for example the way certain camera film has colour biases. Cine film may have scratches, dust, or glitches on the surface and distortions of brightness and contrast. Consequently, I have developed a fascination with the parallel limitations of an artist as a fallible mortal, in particular the inadequacies of memory and eyesight.
Is it a commonly held belief that an artist is born with the talent to see the world differently to others? more vividly perhaps? a heightened experience? with more insight? they are more visually aware? they are gifted? they are able to see beauty and design where others see the mundane? An onerous responsibility, I think.
What are the expectations we have of artists?”