I have always favoured working from the human figure, most often with a leaning toward abstraction, and, generally in oil or acrylic. My career began with portraits of friends and children, but over the past 25 years has focused more on athletes, dancers, and most recently, figures taking a shower.
I believe the human figure to be the artist’s greatest resource for inspiration and creativity, and that the draughtsmanship thereof, to be one of the foundation stones of all interesting art, and perhaps of all good art. It is perhaps no surprise that so much contemporary art is now increasingly concerned with the human figure.
The Subject of Women Bathing
The iconography for women washing goes back to ancient Greece, and comes to us today via early Christian themes, the Renaissance, Rembrandt, Degas and Bonnard, and incredible though it may be, is in essence unchanged. In representational art this ‘essence’ is perhaps best appreciated in the story of ‘Susanna and the Elders’, the best depictions of which show Susanna washing, whilst entirely, utterly and completely unaware of anybody observing her.
It has been said of Degas’ works of women washing, getting in and out of the bath, towelling down etc., that so realistic are they, that there is a sence he wasn’t actually in the room at the time, or even that he did not make his presence known to his models. It is this very sense of seeking to capture the figure in a totally natural pose, a pose which would not be adopted at any time other than when alone and unaware of posture, and therefore typically when washing or showering – which is precisely the inspiration behind this series of paintings.
The Slates
Whilst one cannot be sure as to slate origins it is thought most if not all are Welsh. Many are of a size which, due to present day costs, are no longer produced. The majority of slates are old, many 100–200 years old, and many acquired to have been Windsor Castle salvage following the devastating fire in 1992. All slates are as found, i.e. with old nail holes (some with nails remaining), although due to damage unavoidably caused when dismantling roofs, some of the slates have been trimmed.
Whilst steps have been taken to ensure correctness in measurement, dimensions may in practice differ slightly.
It should be noted that slate is a heavy material and generally speaking the larger and/or thicker a slate, the heavier it will be – if this is of concern, please enquire as to individual weights.
I am often asked whether I would have any objection to my slate art / paintings being hung in bathrooms, kitchens or conservatories – the answer is no, I have no objection, in fact I applaud it.