The first framescape

My framescapes have become a distinctive series of paintings known and loved for the intimate space created by the painting's integral frame which is both key a part of the painting as well as being functional.

'Heat of the Day' - the first Framescape

Originally conceived out of a necessity to produce a small, affordable piece of original artwork for sale within a target price, the first Framescape was born in the summer of 2018. Evolving from a discarded and reused glazed picture frame in my studio which I smothered with a water-based ground for overpainting.

Exhibited in Lewes at the Chalk Gallery for Artwave Festival 2018, 'Heat of the day' did not sell during its first showing. This little Sussex landscape painted in carefree, loose style with ink splatters in some of my favourite colours, proved very popular and it was the positive feedback from visitors and fellow artists together with a strong desire to create something different that encouraged me to develop the concept further and to see where things might lead.

Since its beginnings, my Framescapes have undergone slight refinements to proportions, dimensions and mounts but essentially the charm of these paintings is their very handleable size, making lovely gifts, collectable small art and can be displayed in all kinds of spaces. Being painted over all sides of the frame, every one has a 3-dimensional quality while foremost remaining a painting. The relatively chunky frame encasing a central panel which draws the attention of the eye inwards to a distant horizon or along a little path before it wanders around the front of the frame and then over its painted sides.

Since the first Framescape, the series of paintings I have created has given me a means to paint traditional subjects that inspire me in a brand new way while I also endlessly develop as an artist.

Here are some of my personal favourites that I particularly enjoyed creating or have given me a particular sense of achievement:

'Afternoon Rockpooling' brings back memories of rockpooling on the beaches east of Brighton, at Rottingdean and Saltdean where I remember spending time at tide-out as a child and with my children.

'A breezy day at the beach' is a personal favourite because it reminds me of the excitment of windy weather that blow away the cobwebs and watching the seagulls riding the breeze overhead.

'Walking the South Downs Way' another personal favourite because I feel I achieved a sense of harmony, calling to mind, carefree summer days walking along the top of the South Downs just following the chalk path, hill after hill.

More of the Framescape paintings can be found on my website in the Framescape collection or in my online shop.