Today was a day that it was very exciting making some marks on a new figurative male painting. This has so far been created in mixed media including acrylic but with some other mediums which were lying around in the studio.

I noticed today when I was putting the finishing touches to Boy George that I was noticing patterns and “rules” developing about the way I painted the Klimt geometry. Funny how the mind works isn’t it? I have tried not to copy the exact design of Klimt artwork but I have still found myself naturally creating repeating patterns which are obviously Klimt inspired. It is one of the most therapeutic ways I have painted but I know that the Klimt influence has to end at some point.

Recently I have been thinking “stuff acceptable ” and have been working on a Klimt influenced painting of Boy George or George O’Dowd. Only half completed but I thought you may want a peek.

The models did not know each other and posed seperately. One had just experienced a relationship break up and the other was also experiencing some sadness. I couldn’t help but have thi saffect the painting. The painting is about 60% complete and comes with a Van Gogh like sky. It is the largest canvas I have ever worked on at 5 feet x 3 feet and just thought you might like a sneak preview.

I know of painters who spend many months on a canvas and it’s easy to comment sometimes without a thought for the thinking , the process and the artist behind it. Some very talented artist struggle because they are slower at painting and the simple arithmetic comes into play: you need to paint enough artwork to sell at the right price. This allows them to live and, continue to paint. Conversely, I know if artists who, in their own words “churn out 7 in 2 days”, copying someone elses stlye and reap the financial rewards.

Last year I have to admit to having my ego deflated when I heard an art buyer say “he’s better at male paintings than he is at female”. Hopefully this time I will have proved this “art critic” wrong and what does “better” mean anyway?

I have since studied the history of Tarot and I have also been intrigued by the artwork on the various decks. So, for those of you who have been wondering about the new Klimt inspired artwork which i have been producing, the influence is indirect and comes from a Tarot decjk which I have.

It’s been one of these “perfect” day weekends (well almost). Painting for a living is completely absorbing but I do think it’s important to get away from the canvas now [...]

Well, another couple of days have passed and Madonna has been laid to rest. I don’t think that she is even recognisable in this painting which I am really beginning to love. I find it difficult to talk about Spirituality and Truth so I hope that this peaceful new artwork speaks for itself. I can see in my head where I want it to go so as before, watch this space. Also today, I was contacted by a press agency who were interested in the naked Simon Cowell painting which I created.

In 2009, I painted Madonna on a large scale canvas for a solo show in GLasgow. The painting gleaned a lot of interest but did not sell. I was very fond of this painting and hung it in my own home. It then featured at the “Art Wall” at the Homes and Interiors exhibition and again nearly sold. This then happened again at an exhibition at WASPS open studios.

It feels fantastic for me as a painter, that for a few months now, I seem to have been experiencing the opposite of “painters block”. I have more energy, it seems, than I have had for years. I have enjoyed making the most of it and seem to have a complete lack of fear about making mistakes.

After helping to get my artwork on, it was off to see the framer quickly, settle a bill, pick up some prints for a gallery and then load the car up to deliver my paintings to McTears Auctioneers for next weeks Scottish Contemporary Art Sale. After McTears it was a round trip to Park Gallery where I delivered a painting and the prints which I had collected earlier and then back to the studio.

In the lead up to finishing paintings for the Hawke Hunter Exhibition next week, I am frantically trying to put some finishing touches to the paintings which Braewell Galleries are [...]

The Exhibition is next Thursday and Fridy, 4th and 5th December at Hawke and Hunter in Edinburgh. The venue has been included in the top 50 coolest places to eat on the planet. I will be exhibiting my artwork with fellow artists, Frank To, Joe O’Brien, Elena Korenkova and Ryan Mutter.

When I began to sell paintings online before I started to paint as a full time career (around 2004). I painted some “pop art” pieces which were copied and were being sold via a German company. I also saw some of my paintings crop up elsewhere too.

Why the constant changes? I appreciate that the website has changed several times in the past year but as a place to display original art, I want it to reflect my paintings as best as it can and for the experience of visitors to the site to be a very positive one.

In addition to the Goddess paintings which are appearing, I have not forgotten all you kilt -art lovers. This is a sneak preview of a new piece which I am working on for the forthcoming Hawke and Hunter Exhibition in Edinburgh which I am totally focussed on as it is only two weeks away.