“My paintings are inspired by nature, atmosphere, folklore and meditation. When I first began painting, I didn’t think of it in those terms, I was just trying to make what I saw in my head exist on the canvas.

I’m pretty hard on my materials, which is why I like working with acrylic. I work with brushes, cloths and a spray bottle to move the paint around, adding and removing it to reveal what’s underneath. I like responding to what’s already there and letting the hidden layers influence the direction the painting takes.

I love the element of surprise in the process. If an unexpected mix of colour appears on the canvas, I tend to follow it rather than correct it. Those unplanned moments often lead somewhere better than what I had intended.

I sometimes use iridescent paints, which add another layer of unpredictability. They shift with the light, so as you move around the room the painting changes too. It makes them difficult to photograph, but hopefully more alive in person.

Early lines and marks often reappear as I work, showing through before being built over again. It’s a good lesson in patience, learning when to push forward and when to stop, and allowing each painting the time it needs to find its own balance”