The Figure Art Zone
Welcome to a vibrant celebration of the human form in all its dynamic glory. My journey into figure painting first began within the Millennium Mythos, where the very first fairly large figures were actually me, while all the other characters in that world were painted a tiny one or two centimeters high! I eventually stepped out of the frame as the work evolved into a sweeping exploration of energy, movement, grace, and speed.
Here, you will find the body in motion across every terrain and style. The collection ranges from the delicate, quiet poise of my ballerinas to the high-octane thrill of snowboarders, skateboarders, and parkour athletes defying gravity.
Whether it is the smooth glide of ice and roller skaters, or the rhythmic, electric pulse of street dance scenes featuring ‘Boogaloo Shrimp,’ these pieces are dedicated to capturing life in motion. Step inside and feel the kinetic energy of a gallery that never stands still!
`Thoughts’, Oil on canvas. 50×50cm. 2018.
Close up detail from `Thoughts’. A sitting ballerina
“Is That You?”. A Subconscious Journey: Early Mythos Figure Self-Portraits
The origins of my figure painting trace right back to the ‘Millennium Mythos Trilogy’, where the very first figures within were actually me!
This began entirely subconsciously. When I simply painted a girl looking into a world beyond the oak trees in ‘A Secret Genesis Cycle’, I had no intention of painting a self-portrait until viewers started pointing it out and asking, ‘Is that you?’
The figure in ‘Here is my Temple’ was a partially conscious evolution; it began as a rough doodle of a primitive figure before I modernized it into a younger version of myself, complete with a mobile phone in the back pocket!
Once I finally recognized the pattern, I fully embraced the idea and consciously painted myself into the world of ‘Why Sacrifice Rainbows’, with a notebook, paper & pen , and a paint palette!.
I eventually evolved from self-portraying in my mythos worlds into painting other general life figures, only occasionally going back to this in a few pieces which I will point out in this gallery.
Artist Self-Portrait. Close up detail from `A Secret Genesis Cycle’. Oil on canvas. 1999
Artist Self-Portrait. Close up detail from `Why Sacrifice Rainbows’. Oil on canvas. 2000
Artist Self-Portrait. Close up detail from `Here is my Temple’. Oil on canvas. 2000
Kinetic Energy: Bodies in Motion
Stepping up the pace! This section captures the raw, dynamic power of figures in their element. From the rhythmic glide and retro groove of the roller skaters to athletes carving through fresh powder or catching air above the concrete, it is all about speed, balance, and the beauty of explosive movement.
`Rolla Disco’, Oil on canvas. 2016
`Rolla Space’, Oil on canvas. 2016
`Skateboarding’, Oil on canvas. 2016
`Snowboarding’, Oil on canvas. 2016
Gliding on Frost: Elegance on Ice
Bringing the tempo down to a graceful glide, these midi-sized framed pieces capture the crisp, wintery magic of the rink. From solo spins to synchronized pairs, this trio celebrates the delicate balance and flowing freedom of ice skating.
`Ice Skating Princess, Oil on canvas.
`Loved Synced On Ice’, Oil on canvas.
`Freedom of Flight’, Oil on canvas. 20
Urban Pulse: Street Style, Attitude & Rhythm
Turning up the volume and hitting the streets! This section is all about raw attitude, rhythm, and explosive urban movement. From the gravity defying leaps of Parkour to the iconic breakdancing energy of Boogaloo Shrimp, these pieces pulse with life. You will also spot another symbolic self-portrait hidden in ‘Street Style Endz’, that is me leaning against the tree (complete with a cheeky ‘jcb woz ere’ carving!), watching over a crew of five kids in the background who might just remind me of my own!
`Parkour’,
Oil on canvas. 2016
`Boogaloo Shrimp (Breakin)’,
Oil on canvas. c2016
Artist Self-Portrait. `Street Style Endz’,
Oil on canvas. 2016
Staging a Dream:
My Vision of Swan Lake
A celebration of classical ballet, painted entirely from imagination and a deep appreciation for the art form. The spark for this piece came from a beautiful televised version of Swan Lake I watched during the festive season a few years back. It proves that you don’t always need a front-row ticket to feel the magic of the performance!
`Swan Lake’, Oil on canvas. c2017
Quiet Reflections: Ice & Awakening
This pairing contrasts the cool, sweeping grace of ‘The Glacier Queen’, my only piece painted on a wood panel, with a deeply personal self-portrait. ‘Awakening’ captures a quiet, philosophical moment of transition. Standing in a vibrant field looking out toward the city skyline, it represents stepping into a new phase of life, embracing change, and looking toward the future with fresh eyes.
`The Glacier Queen’, Oil on Wood. 2017
Artist Self-Portrait `Awakening’, Oil on canvas. 2016
Full Circle: From Thoughts to Dreams
We have come full circle! We started this gallery journey with the quiet reflection of ‘Thoughts’, and it is only fitting that we close it with its sister painting, ‘Dreams’. This piece takes the grace of the ballerina and elevates her high above the clouds. If you look closely at the sky on the right, you will even spot a commercial aeroplane soaring past! That little detail makes this the perfect jumping-off point for our next adventure. If you are ready to leave the ground entirely, click the link below to fly straight into the ‘Cosmos & Flight’ gallery
Close up detail from `Dreams’
`Dreams’, Oil on canvas. 20 ..
Click on image here to hyperlink to the Cosmos & Flight gallery