The Garden is a painting from 2022 painted during early summer. I wanted it to have a fresh verdant feel to it. Although it is quite abstract, the vegetation and flowers are meant to feel really lush and opulent. 

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At the same time the painting is meant to contain a kind of paradox. Along the top edge there are a row of artificial nails holding little gem lettuce leaves. I want to play around with the idea of the natural and the artificial and how little eco systems or worlds can be created based upon ideas of adornment, painting, self-care and representation.  On the previous page I have added an image of the work in progress, at one point there were some leopard/zebra print nails in play. The eagle eyed amongst you will also have seen that the painting also ended up being turned upside down during the process of making it. 

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Fundamentally there is something both fun and soothing about the idea of creating new tiny worlds or portals, whether through painting on panel or through manicures. As always I love the idea of fusing different worlds and influences.