MORE TALES FROM LA...

‘Here I am : Laurel’ | 40x60in | Oil on canvas

I’ve recently started taking my camera out with me everywhere on the off chance I might see someone that absolutely has to be painted. On the whole, most people are receptive and I’ve found it’s opened up really interesting conversations with people I would have never got to know about previously.

Whilst I was living in LA, I met this wonderfully dynamic pair of women who allowed me into their home, opened up to me about their lives and agreed to let me capture them in a painting. Grandma Laurel F. and her Granddaughter Laurel L. The detail of each piece is incredible, describing their family history through people, experiences and places within their family tree. Laurel F. has dedicated her life to helping others through her work with Planned Parenthood, National Organisation for Women, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Rights to name a few. At the time I met them, she was driving her 97 year old neighbour to her weekly errands, and making crochet hats for hospitalised children. She lives on Social security and somehow includes small donations into her budget. A wonderful pair of humans.

A TURNING POINT...

‘Debutante’ | 153x102cm | Oil on canvas

I had so much fun painting this piece. It was my biggest to date and one of those rare paintings that just seemed to come together pretty quickly. The dream.

I met Rosie whilst I was living in LA for a bit. I was travelling to my friend, Tina’s house in Pasadena every day where we shared her studio for a few months.

Rosie lived with Tina and I entered their world soon after it had shattered when their beloved Matt (Tina’s husband and Rosie’s Dad) died. I’ve been friends with Tina for a good while but this was my first encounter with Rosie. It goes without saying that she is pretty astonishing to look at physically. Effortlessly striking with long limbs covered in tattoos. I think she had just shaved her head to make herself ‘unattractive’ to men after a break-up. Rosie - it didn’t work. But how fucking cool.

At the time I met Rosie she seemed to be at a point in her life where the contradiction of profound clarity and utter confusion when losing someone so important was stirring an undeniable need for change in approach to life. I wanted to capture that moment with Rosie sat in front of her Dad’s garage looking towards a hopeful future.