The sound of the sea with its relentless energy is a magnet for me, especially with our rapidly changing skies in coastal areas which offer such an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Above all, it’s about the transience of the light that compels me to seize the moment.

I paint most days, frequently along the East Lothian coast when it’s not too windy. I work rapidly with oils, alla prima;  I love to create impasto forms of considerable contrast to express the drama of the atmosphere. Having captured the poetic essence of the scene, which is my focus,  I usually return to my garden studio in Midlothian to complete the work. Whenever the opportunity arises, quite often in winter, trips to the Highlands and Islands offer rich  rewards with their dramatic ephemeral colours and vibrant scenes of  evocative landscapes.