An interesting thing happens when we live life as an artist. We see things differently. It is as if we have new eyes, that see wonderful things everywhere.

In my own paintings I create a lot of texture and layering of colour and lines, so let's go on a little tour of my favourite crops and close-ups, and how I created the effects. Taking a closer look at them we can see how my favourite techniques can create a little magic. There are always interesting areas of a painting that deserve a closer look!

The way the colours were used was just magical to me. I didn't know all of the arty terms at the time, but what I did know is that I just could imagine myself standing there in the scene, feel the warmth on my face and hear the rustling of the trees in a gentle breeze. I was obsessed with how a painting could do this!