Inspiration or Regret

January 2020

As I look through and read David Hockney’s catalogue of works with 325 illustrations and explanations tracking his lifelong experiments I find myself regretting missed opportunities that I have had to record through painting and drawing some of my life’s experiences. I have travelled to many countries throughout my life, something I am still lucky enough to do but not used them to their full potential. I have made several sketch books and had several ideas but never taken them any further into paintings or worked on them to achieve anything. I am trying hard to get out of the routine and habit of putting ideas off. Whilst I am away on trips I will try and paint and draw and discuss my ideas further. One idea is that of confidence. I have no idea what my paintings look like, I don’t know what my style is. I am away at the moment in Nassau, in the Bahamas and inspired by David Hockney’s water experiments I would like to experiment with skies, and water. I have brought my sketch book away with me and tried a few sketches so far of the sky. Non of which I am happy with. The process of using watercolour paints is very difficult. I cannot get the colours right because they are straight from the palette to the paper. My brush strokes are vulgar and amateur but I will keep trying. I may work over them as I get fresh ideas and more confident with the media I have brought with me.