Visit the Artist's Blog.

Read more about Jaq's Art Work,
studio practice and techniques.

Over the years it has gradually dawned on me, that what I love doing most is creating high relief, by building up layers, and or, of taking away layers. I work in a variety of medium to attain this, wood, glass, and gesso.

I usually work to a selected theme, mostly incorporating natural form, with flowing line. When I begin new work, I spend a long time sketching ideas, sometimes exploring through watercolour, then to the studio. I like to lose myself in the physicality of the work process, and completely submerse myself into the emerging art.

I originally studied historic decorative arts, so I choose to use some of these techniques and materials in a contemporary way, such as ‘raised gesso’, as a form of relief, also wood carving, and gilding.

Glass finds me working with relief by way of modelling in clay at the out set, this is where all the detail and texture is formed. When I have my clay original as desired, I make a cast, this is a one way (use) cast, thereby making each piece unique, the cast is dried out, the glass laid in and then fired in a kiln.

I love working with wood, usually lime, and carve mostly in the traditional way with hand carving chisels, unfortunately it is something that I do too rarely, but incredibly enjoyable when done.

Each gesso panel of my new “Earth Series”, has several layers of gesso relief applied, there is a gradual build up, and when that has been achieved, the whole panel is under painted in acrylic paint so that when gilded and patinated, this shows through to whatever extent I desire it to. Finally each panel is finished with a protective layer of varnish.

I have had undertaken quite a number of private commissions, and have found the client/artist relationship very enjoyable, often a learning curve for myself, so please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss a probable project.