So many of my paintings begin with looking up. I’ve always been drawn to shifting skies – the way colour pours through cloud, the way weather rolls in over land and sea, and that moment just before everything changes.
Where the idea began
The Atmospheric Skies & Light pieces grew out of walks along the coast and open landscapes. I’d come home with my head full of colour – soft violets, sudden shafts of gold, fiery edges where light hits cloud. Rather than painting literal views, I wanted to capture the sense of those moments: the movement, drama and stillness all at once.
Painting mood rather than maps
These works aren’t meant to be recognisable locations. You might see a suggestion of horizon, land or sea, but the real subject is light and mood. I build up thin layers of acrylic, letting colours bleed and interact, then carve back into them with bolder marks. Misty passages sit next to intense flashes of colour; quiet areas allow the eye to rest.
There’s often a balance between warm and cool – a glow of orange set against deep blues, or soft greys lit with unexpected pinks. That contrast is where the energy lives.
Why the shapes and formats matter
Many of the earlier pieces in this series were circular, which felt like looking through a porthole or lens. More recently I’ve been working with squares and large statement canvases, which give the sky more room to expand. The format changes, but the intention is the same: to create a window of atmosphere on your wall.
How I hope they’re experienced
People often tell me these paintings remind them of a particular place or time, even though they weren’t painted from a photograph. I love that. My hope is that each piece becomes a quiet anchor in your room – something you can sink into for a moment, the way you might watch the sky at the end of the day.
If you’d like to live with that kind of atmosphere, you can explore the Atmospheric Skies & Light collection, or get in touch about a piece in a size and palette tailored to your space.Understanding Your Audience
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