the connection
So far, all the most challenging and creative pieces I produced were either inspired by someone and their journey or made with a special someone in mind. These pieces are the most personal and free flowing, and were done with passion over many sleepless nights. I cannot possibly put a price on what I get out of projects such as those, neither is there a way of quantifying that connection.
e m m a
A glamorous rag doll made for a very special little lady called Emma. She initiated an avalanche of marionette ideas and I am currently working on a clay and wooden body and considering a whole series of characters.
g l e n e l g
This has been my home away from home for years. It has been a source of endless inspiration and encouragement, with friends dreaming big, and that is how this crooked map came to be. It is currently being screen-printed on t-shirts and they will be available via Etsy shop soon. I have already sold these in A3 poster form so please get in touch if you'd like to pre order any and I do intend to make them available on Etsy too. From springtime they will be available at the Glenelg-Skye Ferry shorestation.
the road from chimborazo
This project pulled at several strings for me and I was delighted to be a part of it. Our dear friend is about to embark on an epic journey and I encourage you to find out more about it and follow their adventure. If you click on the image below it will take you to the RFC23 website and a brief description of their mission is right here ---------------------------------------->
Any donations above £10 will be honoured by a free print sent out to you. You can find out more about it via their Instagram page link below.
In March 2023, the RFC23 team will embark on a journey never attempted before, to navigate the mighty Amazon River, through 5000 kilometres of wilderness, from it's highest source: Volcano Chimborazo. The former Royal Marines aim to document the struggles facing native tribes as they battle with corporate giants whose tree felling exploits help feed the insatiable western appetites at the expense of the Amazon Rainforest. They will carry out ecology surveys in some of the more remote areas in the hope that their discoveries my help in scientific research, potentially helping further medicinal knowledge before these special areas disappear. It is also their hope that this journey will allow for self realisation. It's widely recognised that men don't talk about their mental health and some feel out of place in modern society. They hope that if they enter this journey with open minds and a willingness to grow, there's hope that a sense of self contentment can be found. Any kind donations and grants will help immeasurably towards their adventure down the Amazon; JustGiving donations will be split accordingly: 20% to The Royal Marines Charity who help their brothers in times of need, and 20% to Rainforest Concern who fight on the front line, working with native communities to save rainforests worldwide.
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ocean of plastic
This was a winning scholarship entry just before my year at the University of Glasgow in 2013. Ocean plastic gathered in the Glenelg Bay over several months was transformed into a largescale painting of a coral reef. It was accompanied by an art programme for schools which proposed to combine a beach-clean, recycling and crafts to raise awareness of ongoing ocean pollution with plastic.
