Beach Treasures & Beyond:

The Materials I like to work with

Natural materials...

I love to find and use the beautiful driftwood which washes up on the shores. Seashells can also make an appearance in my work from time to time.

Never pick a pebble; what I won’t use...

While the shaped and worn roof slate which I use is often mistaken for pebbles, in fact I don’t use pebbles or stones from the beach. Pebbles and rocks act as a natural sea defence, reducing the rate of coastal erosion. Therefore, it is vitally important for coastal management that natural pebbles or stones are never removed from beaches, and in fact it is illegal to do so in the UK under The Coastal Protection Act 1949.

One person’s waste, is another’s

treasure…

I like to use and illustrate on seemingly ordinary man- made pieces which were broken and forgotten, and simply discarded. One way or another, these pieces find their way to the sea. This is where the magic begins as it is shaped and reborn by the sea. Common examples of materials I use are… • roof slate • brick • ceramics (sea pottery) • sea glass Some of the more unusual beach finds can also find their way into my work; which could be anything from old spark plugs to barnacle-encrusted paintbrushes.

Not always from the beach...

I also like to paint and illustrate on traditional art materials such as canvas and paper, as well as the more modern digital painting and design. I love keep things fresh and keep the fun alive by playing and experimenting with lots of other materials and techniques from lino-cut art to sculpting with needle-felted wool.