‘Swarm’ – Creating This Abstract Painting
This image entitled ‘Swarm’ is part of a series from two years ago, abstracted from photos I took of masses of sardines (…I think the correct term is ‘school’!) in the ocean when I was scuba diving. I loved how there is so much simplicity amid the chaos of the fish darting and diving underwater churning the water up into a frenzied haze. Out of this chaos, especially on a still image, you can see meaningful shapes, swirls, light, shade and formations. 
I tried to convey the energy yet peace you get underwater and make an artwork that’s energising but relaxing to look at. The blue shapes are the fish swimming about and the yellow ‘clouds’ are the specks of light coming through the water.
As an artist, it is great to oscillate between the detailed technical work of my portraits and looser work like this piece, ‘Swarm’. It enables me to explore shapes, colours and composition, which can sometimes sit second place when you’re concentrating on the detail of that latest hand position or representing the soft weave of a woollen shawl. It’s good for us artists (certainly, I find it good for myself!) to take yourself out of your current comfort zone, and helps you to develop as an artist.
