British Landscape Paintings & Prints

My motivation isn't concerned with making pretty decoration art in endless colour variations. As enjoyable as I'm sure that is, my impulse is making the best art I can make.

The reason I get up in the morning is always my current painting or print. This is because it might end up a better painting or print than anything I've painted or printed before. The excitement at that possibility is my addiction.

Magical landscapes, magical art quest

I should point out something. When I say my aim is not to make art to match the sofa, I don't mean I try to make ugly art. The shifting fashions for shock or gritty art have never appealed to me. It's OK to like art that matches your sofa by the way. It's just differences in personal tastes.

It's the magical beauty of our landscape here in the UK I strive to capture. Representing the something photographs miss is my quest.

Accurately identifying and describing what it is that is magical about our landscapes is a struggle. It means failing, reworking and perseverance. That sounds anything but fun. To me, it's essential to making good art. It's just what my quest demands.

Reviewing is the path to better art

To steadily improve, you have to critique your achievements continually. I'd begun a thorough assessment of my landscape art the last time I updated this section. Since then, I've pondered, examined and honestly assessed. My conclusions so far are set out here:

In 2020 I will…

1. Concentrate on making my art setting aside exhibitions and promotions. This may mean I'll appear inactive. I'll be locking myself away in my garret painting or making prints. When not in my studio, I'll be out in the landscape painting and sketching. I'll have to overcome some challenges to enjoy the luxury of so much time on my art. T'was ever thus though.
2. Work in a more coordinated way. I'm planning a series featuring the East Yorkshire Wolds scenery. I've already begun to explore and study the unusual magical habitat that is the Wolds. Setting out to create a series, a themed art collection as a project is a new thing for me.
3. Double-down on studio oil paintings and linocuts. I've developed a view of the wide variety of art I've been making. It has diluted my efforts to make the best art I can make. A powerful way to improve on something is to develop a narrow focus on it, and this is my plan for 2020.

None of the above will be easy. But then, if my art was easy to make, it would hold no fascination for me.

So what does this mean?

It means: have no fear. I am an active artist. I'm working away on my art, being productive despite appearances here and elsewhere.

Google – a worshipper of the Fresh Content god – might make it harder for you to find me again. So consider bookmarking my website.

It should mean my art will develop in intriguing ways. Ideas I've held on to for a while will be explored. Ultimately, my art will become better than it is today. So watch this space, as they say.

Finally, Merry Christmas to you all!

I sincerely wish everyone, regardless of politics or madness, a very Merry Christmas. May 2020 be brighter for all.

From the single blade of grass and the magical, mysterious thing we call a cloud, to the epic and breathtaking vista, it all still fascinates this kid.

It's why I make British landscape paintings and art prints now.

Naturally, Yorkshire subjects dominate my collection at this time. I'm ever hopeful of being able to paint further afield, though. I've already got many sketches of 'foreign' parts elsewhere in the UK waiting for paint or lino.