My work is a drawn interpretation of what I see – whether something found in my own environment or seen in the landscapes around me. The drawing process reveals details to me that looking alone does not. Every drawing tries to understand the structure of the object and how to honestly represent it in that space; a translation from the 3 dimensional to the flat page but still retaining as best I can the integrity of the original. Various studies of trees started as a continuation of this process – and became my main focus. It seems impossible to walk past these great beasts in our landscape, whether still standing or felled, without wanting to capture something of them. I have used different materials to try to find ways of explaining their unique characteristics but mainly work in inks and charcoal. Gradually I have also become more interested in the landscape itself and look for compositions of shape, light and shade: these might be more or less realistic or abstracted. I find that the materials I use will influence the outcome as ink pens are more about describing with line whereas liquid charcoal will produce solid shapes and tones.