The first painting I ever bought was about thirty years ago — a small painting-collage by an Indian artist working in Bristol. I remember being deeply struck by it. I couldn’t quite explain why it spoke to me, but I knew I wanted to live with it. It was within my price range, so I took the plunge. I still have it hanging in my home, and I still love it.
Each of my subsequent purchases happened in much the same way: a quiet, inexplicable sense of needing to live with that particular piece. And I’ve found that living with artwork I love can bring real solace and a sense of companionship.
So, when it comes to buying art, my advice is simple: trust your inner sense of what you need. If a work speaks to you deeply — and if it’s within your means and you have the space — then follow your heart. My guess is that the rewards will far outweigh the risk.
I’ve recently moved house, and one of the real joys has been hanging paintings and prints on the walls. It still astonishes me how the right picture in the right place can have such a profound effect on the atmosphere and energy of a room.
A friend visited not long ago and, as she walked into my living room, she visibly relaxed and said, “I can breathe in here!” That was such a lovely thing to hear.
Of course, art isn’t just about decorating a space. At its best, it can offer something deeper — a kind of presence that supports how we want to feel and live.
David Hockney said, "What an artist is trying to do for people is bring them closer to something, because of course art is about sharing."
For me, the “something” I hope to bring people closer to is stillness and inner silence. In these turbulent times, those qualities are often in short supply — and yet they are vital to a life well lived. The good news is that they exist deep within each of us. Sometimes, though, we need a little help to access them.
Another friend recently described standing in front of my largest iceberg painting and noticing that his thoughts fell away almost immediately. That’s one of the most beautiful responses I could hope for.
I’d love to know what happens for you when you look at my work. Is there a particular painting that helps quieten your inner chatter?
On my website, I’ve gathered a small group of prints that seem to me to hold a sense of silence and stillness. You can explore them here.
And if you’re thinking about choosing a piece for a particular space in your home, I’d love to hear your hopes for what it might bring, and if you feel like sharing a photo of the space, even better. If you’d like to talk it through, I’m always happy to help. Sometimes it really helps to reflect on it with someone else.
