Inspired By Nature

I've always loved taking the smallest details and creating entire worlds out of them.  Observing plants and animals in the field provides sparks of inspiration for characters and stories. Highland Wildlife Park in the Cairngorms and Inverness Botanical Gardens are two of my favourite haunts in all seasons. Being still and present with living things grounds my work. 

When direct observation isn't possible, I do some research on anatomy and behaviour, then use 3D modelling in plasticene as a substitute for drawing from life. Sometimes there just isn't a walrus nearby! I also watch a lot of wildlife documentaries, drawing along to Attenborough, BBC Spring. Autumn and Winter Watch programmes. 

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Recently I have been experimenting with inks and collage. I use free-form mark making as the basis for new characters, playing with the medium on wet paper and taking my lead from accidental marks.