Studio Notes: 19th of August 2026

I have begun working on a body of work that will be exhibited in Hastings in October 2026. When I was asked to take part in the show I felt like I had forever to prepare. However time has moved and now I’m in a bit of a time crunch to make the work.

Part of me feels that I work better this way, this is the first show I’ve had in a couple of years and is also the first time in this period that I’ve felt a real push to make any work. I think when I am working without a goal or deadline, I find it hard to focus my mind on creating without everything feeling disposable and somewhat pointless. I like the focus that a deadline gives me.

Although the show is a joint show and ultimately does not have a theme, I am making work around the idea of memories and objects. These are themes that I think have been present in my practice for well over 10 years but I still find it hard to pinpoint exactly what my practice is about. The theme of memory. I don’t think the memories need to be my own and I don’t think the memories need to be real. Does that still count as a memory? I think so.

In 2018 I made a series of paintings that were all inspired by notes from my journal. I had pages and pages of made up notes and memories waiting to be made into paintings. These phrases were mostly nonsense, but I noted them down as they appeared to me while a lay in bed hungover or half listened to art history lectures. After a while this method of working felt forced as I willed myself to think of more fake memories so I moved onto work that felt more autobiographical.

I think that this body of work might be taking inspiration from this period in my life as I think about memory and object.I think that I’m interested in objects that hold memories that are not mine. How can an object hold so much meaning but simultaneously mean almost nothing to me? I’m looking into drinks bottles that hold memories for my friends, I think I will make them into larger than life ceramic candle holders or vases. For my paintings I’m looking at motifs from past paintings, skin toned tights, opera gloves, bottles of wine and chairs. I’m working on a much smaller scale than I’m used to which is challenging in itself, I am also working in oils for the first time. So far I like working in oils, I like the rich, butteriness of the colours and the shine. I’m not quite sure about how I feel working to a smaller scale yet. I love the idea of it but I am unsure if the actual painting feels tight and a little bit forced.

I will continue to look into these themes as I continue to work on this body. I’d love to write a piece of text to accompany my body of work but I’m not sure that I am a good writer or more of a brain dump rambler.

Anyway, these are my thoughts, I hope you have enjoyed them.