Portfolio > Little Horrors

Little Horrors
These are paintings about the inclusive world of children. I call them little horrors for a few reasons. First, in England, where I grew up children are often referred to (sometimes affectionately sometimes not) as little horrors. Second, because the images depict " little horrors" children playing and fighting with each in their own world, while the adults who are responsible for them fight or make love. These adults remain relentlessly oblivious to and separate from their children’s activities.
Finally, and most obviously they are " little horrors" because they are small paintings that depict relatively diminutive (in the scheme of world events) unpleasant domestic events.

In these paintings I use animals to represent the perpetual anxiety and confusion many children feel, that is often engendered by the adults around them, but is only expressed in play or seemingly unrelated acting out.

The palette I have used for these paintings is mostly muted and matte. The lines often wobbly. Raw canvas sometimes shows through. I am after something that feels hazy, like an old memory.

Blue Balls
Oil on Canvas
14x16
2009
Cart Wheel
Oil on Canvas
16x18
2009
Fur Ball
Oil on Canvas
16x18
2009
Ginger
Oil on Canvas
9x12
2009
Lazy Cat
Oil on Canvas
9x12
2009
Up Side Down
Oil on Canvas
16x18
2009
Laughing Party
Oil on Canvas
14x16
2009
Balls
Oil on Canvas
11x14
2009
Fat Rabbit
Oil on Canvas
11x14
2009
Shiba Inu
Oil on Canvas
11x14
2009
White Rabbit
Oil on Canvas
11x14
2009
Corn Flakes
Oil on Canvas
9x12
2009
Kitten
2009
Little Rabbit
Oil on Canvas
11x14
2009
Tables Edge
Oil on Canvas
11x14
2009
Globe
Oil on Canvas
9x12
2009
 Back Garden
Oil on Canvas
11x14
2009
Sleeping Cat
Oil on Canvas
11x14
2009
Ginger #2
Oil on Canvas
11x14
2009
Tea Party
Oil on Canvas
11x14
2009
Bedtime
oil on canvas
9x12
2009
Socks
oil on linen
11x14
2009