About me
Born in Edinburgh, where I studied drawing and painting at Edinburgh College of Art, I now live in the Aberdeenshire town of Ellon.
Having taught in secondary schools in Glasgow, Ayrshire and the Inner Hebrides, I currently teach Art, Design and Photography in Aberdeen and have involvement within the Scottish Qualifications Authority, working within the area of Higher Photography.
My art and photography has been exhibited in many places and spaces throughout Scotland.
Inspired by the natural world, I have, over the years, used various art based media to communicate the beauty and diversity within this genre. From the subtleties of moving water to the grandeur of the wider landscape.
More recently, the focus has shifted to photography within the digital medium predominately working in black and white.
The importance of a place and the elements within are the starting point for the photographic process, exploring subject matter from egg shells, ancient wood and coastal fringes; while focusing on the individual qualities of each object and using layout and image manipulation techniques to create both realistic and abstract based compositions.
Stylistically, my approach is close up photography, concentrating on shape, form and surface texture, while combining a blend of traditional and creative fine art techniques. Working in black and white offers the opportunity to experiment with lighting using strong tonal variations to create contrast between light and shadow. This process highlights the importance of the space between objects as a method of creating a composition that encapsulates the visual qualities of the photograph as a whole.