STORM’S OUTSIDE, February 2025

The painting wants to celebrate AJ and I set myself a challenge to create an image which would live up to the rich cerulean ground. I don’t know a huge amount about grounds but now that I have found them, I can’t imagine making a painting without one. 

Every brushstroke here is in conversation with that rich and gorgeous blue beneath it. Medieval artists used blue to express beauty and to bring the warmth of skin tones into relief. I often use grounds which fight with the palette, but in STORM'S OUTSIDE the browns and pinks have a great time with the blue. 

With one hand, AJ holds his glass, a few marks suggest the light, with the other, he strokes a lap dog. Combined with the form of wingback armchair and chippendale furniture, the composition echoes AJ’s natural elegance.

It’s all of that moment, a fluid spontaneous gesture (and using the gouache AJ gave me for Christmas).

Gouache on Stone Paper, 29 × 21 cm

Private Collection: Emily Hadwen