My oil paintings have to have a story behind them, they have to drown with emotion and scream and shout.
Once I saw Pat I knew that I had to paint a hyperrealism portrait of him.
I met Pat on the streets of Southampton in 2021. Pat had been homeless for many years and was quite a well known character on the streets of Southampton. He was a kind and gentle man who was happy to talk about any issue. We spoke of childhood and his dreams and ambitions. I saw a spark in his eye when he spoke of his childhood which seemed to fade when reality hit him.
Once I was in my studio I primed the canvas. I wanted to create a painting that glimpsed into Pat’s childhood. A painting that screams “I was a little boy once, I had dreams and ambitions, but my dreams were stolen” Society stole his dreams, the class system stole his dreams, endless poverty stole his dreams.
I am hoping that you see a painting that feels hopeful, that shows Pat’s resilience. Pat will keep going.
“Pat’s Window” is available as a signed limited edition print, please see the homeless series on the limited edition print section of the website.
