My art is born out of a strong belief in the inherent value of all living things and my innate desire to protect them. I am greatly inspired by the rural landscape, with a particular interest in the agricultural animals that appear ubiquitous among it. By painting what are essentially contemporary formal portraits, I am aiming to bring an honor to the lives of these animals which are so often seen as insignificant; portraiture as an act of reverence.

The paintings start with a visit to the animals, where I love getting to meet and photograph them and hear stories about their lives. Back in the studio, I begin each piece with a detailed drawing, and then apply oil paint layer upon layer, over the course of weeks or months. I have between ten and twenty works going at any given point, each in its own stage of completion. The elements of color and texture come together to create a visual narrative of a brief existence, allowing the personality of each subject to come through, so that we can see our own humanness reflected within it.

This is what drives my work, the concept of sameness. What I have experienced through years of interacting with animals tells me that they are not different than us. We are emotional beings, all of us, and there are a range of emotions and a deep intelligence in all living things. While we communicate differently, it’s clear that we all want the same thing; to live our life, protect our young, and be free from pain.