Taking time ....

made a decision when I began the last painting to take more time with my paintings, beacause the ones that take longer, are more satisfying to me personally. So although in a world where bills need to be paid, the temptation is to churn the work out, I find for me resisting that temptation leads to work that is more potent. Less is more ( I hope! )

I've been working a lot with layering paint. Putting patterns on top of patterns, and creating textures with application of colour and different kinds of paintwork. I want to experiment with layers a lot more.

This painting has the feeling of a quilt, part of my "fabrication" series. I have always admired quilting and mosaics, but have come to the sad realisation that I will never be a quilt, or mosaic artist because I can't be bothered lol. My commitment is to paint, and developing in that medium, but it doesn't stop me from borrowing from other art forms and mediums in my work :-)

I like the way quilts have been used traditionally to tell womens stories, and pass on these stories to others. Painting is how I tell my story. I also like the way quilters put together fabrics, and fabric designs that wouldn't usually be found together, but they weave them together with a magic that I love.

it's all part of the "fabric" of society. Throughout history we have used fabrics to express our values, our identity, our heritage and our culture. We use fabrics to express ourselves, to harmonise, and to rebel. I may not be a fabric artist, but I love fabrics, and the way that paint itself can only ever produce a "fabricated" version of reality.