Ackerstrasse

"Akerstrasse" is part of a series of paintings inspired by life in Berlin. It represents one of the remaining guard towers and sections of the Wall which had originally divided this street and now forms a permanent monument to those whose lives were irrevocably shaped by conflicting ideologies.

The painting forms part of a developing theme that explores the effects of light and shade on the built form and the interaction of life within it. In this case I was struck by the intensity of the morning light and the strange beauty that it endowed upon this brutal monument.

I work predominantly in acrylic on canvas board as I appreciate both the flexibility and precision that it allows. This is particularly important in developing the vibrance and saturation that I look for in my choice of colour, subject matter and the effective of light upon it.

The painting is 18" square. Please see other paintings in this collection.

Follow

I loved to draw and paint from a very early age. I was fascinated by the capability of artists to bring to life the world around them; to represent form, light and shade; to create three dimensions within two.

Simultaneously I was drawn to photography. From my earliest self-processed black and white prints to the sophistication of modern digital manipulation, I have always taken pictures.

In my professional life I established and ran successful creative businesses in London, Luxembourg, Malaga, Berlin and Sydney. I held senior roles in prominent design practices and advertising agencies, including the creative directorship of Europe's first online service.

More recently I taught design at universities and design schools in Sydney, Australia and Southern Spain with particular focus upon sustainable design thinking, human-centred design and developing successful design practice.

I began my career as a junior illustrator in London. It's therefore appropriate that with more time on my hands these days I should return to my first love.