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Published: 28 February 2019

Last Updated: 28 February 2019

I did my first self-portrait last week. Well, a slight twist on the traditional idea of what a self-portrait should/may be like. I threw out the bathwater and left this baby image

When I did my self-portrait, I left all the pimples out because you always should. Pimples are a temporary condition and they don't have anything to do with what you really look like. Always omit the blemishes-they're not part of the good picture you want. – Andy Warhol

I left all my blemishes out too!

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Published: 17 February 2019

Last Updated: 18 February 2019

I make really basic, crude line drawings and sketches that are often incorporated into paintings or find their way into works on paper.

The mark making is done quickly and often just begins with a line that has no particular place to go. As Paul Klee said: “A drawing is simply a line going for a walk.” And sometimes, there’s a basic idea and the image is done in a very raw and crude way with no detail, the details are sketchy!

I like the images to be coarse and unpolished, unrefined and angry! I suppose they are simple contour drawings that show the outlines, shapes and edges of a scene, but they omit fine detail, surface texture, colour and tone.

I have filled a lot of little sketchbooks in this way. My favourites, although not good art paper, are the passport size Muji notebooks but I also use the classic Moleskine (14 x 9cm) ones too. Also, although I often use Rotring art pens, I prefer the cheap but brilliant Muji 0.38 gel pen.

The painting Oskar’s Catalogued Dreaming started from a 3cm line drawing of Oskar my Maine Coon cat that was projected onto 100cm square plywood and filled in with acrylic and oilstick.

I have an idea for the baby image!