Decadence Original Works
Celebrating a decade creating art with meaning as a professional mixed media artist.
A wonderfully curated body of work that includes mesmerising ‘Storyteller’ pieces that showcase Mark’s unique ability to re-tell classic stories and fairy tales. In addition, there is striking imagery from his sought after ‘Lost in Hollywood’ series where Mark puts his own spin on iconic movies that we have such an affiliation with.
Hooky Street (Only Fools & Horses) - The Original
£5,150.00
- It’s been a good few years since I first created ‘He Who Dares Wins’ – a quirky interpretation of the British comedy classic ‘Only Fools and Horses’. The reaction to that piece has been TRIFFIC! It is a truly brilliant sitcom that so many of us love and the memories that are tied to it. For me personally, it is those evenings sat as a family watching the programme and the loudest of laughs that I would give anything to hear again. I guess this is why my nostalgic artworks resonate with so many so strongly because of the authenticity of which I work, with that need to reconnect with the past. It helps and ultimately generates so much good from it. CUSHTY!
I love my pieces that are littered with references and links that create this wonderful ‘seek and smile’ interaction with my collectors. It’s funny, I work with such an intensity when I am in the throes of building each scene that I often forget where I have hidden a particular reference and even occasionally can’t even fathom what I was thinking! What a plonker eh! ‘He Who Dares Wins’ was so successful because of the level and type of detail within the Miami mansion, and the unique approach to it, I always shy away from simply recreating a set or scene, too easy and just not me. I’ve been so keen to create the follow up piece and I am so damned happy with the results!
When I was planning this piece way back, the initial thinking was to position the three-wheeler out front of Peckham market, but I wanted to make more of it, to be more complex, complicated to create and ultimately more rewarding. I took reference from my 2019 ‘Up for the Cup’ piece that featured the rusty old banger in front of a line of shops and London pub, whilst it wasn’t an ‘OFAH’ piece it was a catalyst for what I would then create. I also drew reference from the original ‘The Memory Remains’ street scene but pulled it outwards so that it became much more complex and allowed for so much more detail, and chaos!
‘Hooky Street’ is a bonkers celebration of the crazy antics of Del Boy, Rodney and friends as their lunacy plays out on the streets of Peckham. In line with ‘The Memory Remains’ composition, we see the ‘Nags’ head (formally the ‘White Horse’) set to open and do as roaring trade! Next to that we have ‘Marlene’s Bookies’ that could just make you a millionaire, one day! Oh, and there’s no VAT! Residing above the ‘permed princess’ you will find an auctioneers and pawn broker where watches are their speciality. We then see a small smoke-filled alleyway that leads down to ‘Club 121’ that might just get you in a spot of bother but fear not, a caped Crusader and sidekick are coming to the rescue! KAPOW! Last and no way least is ‘Boyce Autos’ (formally ‘Albertos Autos’). A gritty and meagre garage that sells used cars of distinction, allegedly! Well at least it does have the perfik family motor! It’s a hot buy and handles like Maradona! You might think that Boyce’s gaff looks a bit grotty compared to the empire that he had. Well yes, that’s exactly it. This scene shows the moment in time before the boom, before ‘Trotter time’!
‘Only Fools and Horses’ is testament to how significant the theme tune to the sitcom should be, it just makes you smile doesn’t it. How many of you lot know the words from start to finish? Well the words are well represented within the scene, I am not one for line listing all the details as I would rather you seek them out. However, what I can promise is we’ve got some half-priced cracked ice, and miles and miles of carpet tiles, TV's, deep freeze and David Bowie LP's, Pool games, gold chains just to name a few! Oh, and you better spot the ’smog’ reference and did Banksy steal an idea from years back?! C'est magnifique ‘Hooky Street’!
I am so happy with the outcome, I wanted to create something quirky, random, with a real comedy quality but something that had a gritty edge to it. It had to be different, unique, and authentic, even if nothing within it was! There are so many references and memories to draw inspiration from that I can keep on creating for another decade, and you know what? I might just do that! The sitcom suits my random way of thinking, it allows me to include so many bizarre links to baffle you, and me!
This was another example of not wanting this project to finish, I loved every minute of it and I am so glad that I waited for the number of years to produce it. I love what I do, and I am a better person for it, it helps just to smile doesn’t it. The first piece travelled all over the place, and I can see this one heading out from Hull to Rotterdam, from Paris to New York and if it lands in Margate then I will raise a Caribbean Stallion to that! I know how much you guys love this sitcom and the first piece so I hope I have done it and your memories justice. You want the best ones, well then brother, I’m your man! You might just have to stick more than a pony in my pocket to get one!
God bless Hooky Street, Viva Hooky Street. Long live Hooky Street!
- Released: 2024
- Collection: Decadence
- Edition Size: 1 of 1 original
- Specification: Hand embellished heavyweight artist canvas, bespoke frame, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 58” x 36"
- Framed Size (Approx): 64” x 41"
- Get in touch for overseas delivery
- Please allow approximately 14 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.
Exit Light, Enter Night. - The Original
£5,150.00
- Ok, so I’ve just finished writing the narrative for ‘Bollocks to Growing Up!’ and now I switch to this! If there was ever a testament to my darkness and light contrast to my art and mindset, then this is it! We all have a dark side, some more than others but this extreme contrast within my work doesn’t seem to conflict as so many of you collect from both sides of my portfolio, filling your walls with my art with people often shocked that they are from the same artist, which often leads to collectors being unsure just what type of character they will meet at a show! I love that!
My Autumn / Winter iteration of ‘Decadence’ was perfectly timed to allow me to create a truly sinister piece to tie in with the darker months and Halloween! With only four pieces being released, the shocking contrast between the artworks is so powerful. My earlier ‘Storyteller’ works were very dark and incredibly complex, a much more niche approach but one that is as authentic and honest as they come. This then evolved into my ‘Lost in Hollywood’ series where I would embrace this ability to go into a dark place and take on some of the most iconic horror movies. Earlier this year, I created ‘REDRUM’, a striking interpretation of ‘The Shining’ and that has proven to be adored by fans of that genre. This time however, I set about creating a combination of horror movies in the same fashion as an earlier ‘Spielberg’s Hollywood’ piece that worked so well and has been so well received.
As with ‘Spielberg’s Hollywood’, the initial thinking was to set this within the cinema itself but again, I feared this could be restrictive and I do love working with an eerie forest as a backdrop! So, what we see is a creepy cinema frontage rising from the moonlit forest amongst the haunting mist that creeps and crawls in the same fashion as those who roam amongst it. It is that stalking nature that I wanted to focus on rather than creating some shocking ‘gorefest’. I just felt that it was more in line with my work, and I wanted this piece to be able to be enjoyed by many, oh and plus I don’t have the stomach for it! It’s funny, I can’t handle it! My favourite from this genre is and always will be the original ‘The Woman in Black’ by Susan Hill as it was chilling for its realism. I think it was the first ‘SAW’ movie that proved too much for me to handle but you lunatics seem to love it! You’re a disgrace!
I used to stay in this studio overnight but it’s not a settled place to be as there genuinely is no light at all! I don’t think I could have worked on this piece after dark, when you are so zoned in on a particular character or detail to create that impact it really is quite chilling! What is scarier? A figure who moves, slowly closer or one that stands and watches, ready to move? For me the impact of the girl climbing out of the water towards you in insane! That should have been enough, but you know me! A single drop of blood, the little paper boat from ‘IT’, a reference to the ‘Exorcist’ and then the face! Have you spotted it? Let’s not forget the role of the twisted thorns that move through the scene, sinister and claustrophobic.
I always prefer to leave it to you to seek out the movie references rather than line listing them all. It should keep you busy on those cold dark nights! Let’s see if you dare to turn out the lights when you are done! Perspective plays a key role in this image, I wanted to show the contrast between those who are further away to those who have come closer, it’s that sense of movement when static that I love. Music also is a big part; it pretty much always is with my work. I am a big Metallica fan and their songs have inspired titles for pieces such as ‘The Memory Remains’, ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ and ‘Fade to Black’. This combined with the brutal and sombre vocals of ‘Slipknot’ really kept me where I needed to be mentally for this scene. It is ‘Slipknot’ that provide a subtle quality to this image, and you may not realise but it pours light onto the sense of submission and acceptance of your fate through being dominated. Not the brightest of thoughts but you’re looking at this piece for a reason! ‘Bury all your secrets in my skin, Deliver me into my fate’ is taken from their haunting ‘Snuff’ track, whilst ‘You can't kill me cause I'm already inside you. Die and fucking love me.’ is taken from ‘Sic’ and ‘Killpop’ and is pretty bloody dark and twisted as it suggests that even in death that person will live on and can’t ever be killed whilst the second line evokes a chilling obsession with the stalked.
Going back to Metallica, it’s funny as the title came about from a much different moment. I was watching ‘Rob and Romesh do Download’ one evening whilst creating this image and to see them take on one of my favourite tracks ‘Enter Sandman’ was brilliant, I still can’t get their version of it out of my head – comedy gold! Don’t ask me to mimic it at an event but the way they sang ‘Exit Light, Enter Night’ was hilarious, and unique! So that’s how the title came to fruition, brilliantly random but absolutely perfect!
I really hope you love this piece. Even though I may not have the stomach for it and got humiliated by my thirteen-year-old niece who thought ‘The Babadook’ was an easy watch, I do feel that I have the mindset to do it justice and loved every minute of being in the studio for this one. The subtle references, the colour palette and the atmospheric qualities of the scene work so well with the toxicity of those who roam within. Everyone who loves the horror genre has their favourite movie and ultimate character, I have included a cracking number, some more obvious than others and it’s hard to please everyone but I hope you agree with my inclusions.
Sleep with one eye open, gripping your pillow tight. Exit light, enter night. Take my hand, we're off to never-never land.
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- Released: 2024
- Collection: Decadence
- Edition Size: 1 of 1 original
- Specification: Hand embellished heavyweight artist canvas, bespoke frame, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 58” x 36"
- Framed Size (Approx): 64” x 41"
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- Get in touch for overseas delivery
- Please allow approximately 14 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.
OUTAGAS (Back to the Future) - The Original - SOLD
- Back in 2016, I created ‘Lost in Hollywood’, a collection of movie-inspired pieces that took my sales to a whole new level and I haven’t looked back since, well only in a nostalgic sense. That body of work gave me the opportunity to showcase my love for the ‘Back to the Future’ films as I created ‘OUTATIME’ that opened the doors into Doc Brown’s workshop in my own unique way. A ‘sold out’ piece that has since expanded to an array of artworks to showcase the three movies. ‘OUTAIDEAS?’ no chance, ever! Eight years on sees a brand-new piece ‘OUTAGAS’, and it is a belter! An edgy, gritty scene that is an absolute must for fans of the ultimate time machine!
I have been lucky enough to have a ride in an incredible replica of the DeLorean and seen the musical on Broadway, it’s a genuine love affair driven by vivid childhood memories that I hold so closely. Given by the reaction to each piece I create, it seems I am not on my own! Thank you. You guys know I love to place an iconic movie car into my work and the impact of the time machine is immense, it just looks epic from all angles. So, in contrast to ‘OUTATIME’ where I set it to just seeing the arse-end of the car, you now get to see it in its full glory, parked side on in front of a derelict gas station. It’s great to just create something that is ultra-cool and can be enjoyed for what it is without having to search too deep as to what is going on.
A previous piece ‘OUTAREACH’ featured Doc and Marty, riding high, not giving a cluck and it worked so well. I was tempted to introduce characters to this scene, and it would have looked great, however, there was this intriguing quality that radiated from this sense of abandonment that pushed me towards leaving them out. It just leaves it open to interpretation for you lot to decipher what is going on according to how your mind works. It’s a sense of teamwork that I’ve always enjoyed throughout the past decade. However, it didn’t stop me introducing the odd chicken, have you ever seen one fighting a vulture? Well now you have, who wins out though?
I’ve always embraced the qualities of derelict and disused buildings right from my first ‘Storyteller’ works, I find them fascinating and allows me to breathe new life and detail into them. This old gas station has turned out so well. Originally, I was heading down a different road with it as I was going to set it at night with a vibrant neon glow, but I felt that the desaturated palette was more in keeping with this current body of work. It has an aged and weathered quality, and I am really pleased with it. I do enjoy contrasting this static nature of the scene with dramatic movement as you see the vulture swoop in, met by the chicken who is trying to protect something that if fallen into the wrong hands can prove very dangerous – but is that the Plutonium or the Sports Almanac?
The DeLorean quite rightly steals the show, but I am so pleased how the supporting vehicles have turned out, I haven’t featured these before and they add a real quality to the scene. Marty McFly's 1985 Toyota Pickup SR5 is so damned cool, whilst the quirkiness of the VW camper is a nice contrast to the violent nature of its use by the Libyans. Did I stop there? Nope, there’s a third hiding somewhere! As well as the obvious, there are some cracking details to decipher and I won’t spoil it for you, most of those I meet who love the three films are proper die-hard fans (of the movies not me!) so I am sure you will get it! The glass bricks are a nice link back to ‘OUTATIME’ and the orange tones are a nod to the colours from the main logo. Ultimately, I guess the success of this latest instalment is probably what has been left out as much as what has gone in.
So does the title ‘OUTAGAS’ signal the end of the road for these pieces? Hell no! Where I’m going, we don’t need roads. I’m sure I’ve heard that somewhere before. Feel free to chip in with a possible new iteration of OUTA… as I have used a few so far! I’m sure we can get to eight, maybe not eighty-eight but let’s see! Over to you guys! Seriously though, the success of my Back to the Future pieces showcases the true power of love, for our shared love of these incredible movies. I couldn’t do it without the passion and commitment from you guys, people like you just fuel my fire.
- Released: 2024
- Collection: Decadence
- Edition Size: 1 of 1 Original
- Specification: Hand embellished heavyweight artist canvas, bespoke frame, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size (Approx): 54” x 41"
- Get in touch for overseas delivery
- Please allow approximately 14 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.
Bollocks to Growing Up! - The Original - SOLD
- WAZZUUP!
Who would have imagined what would follow on from when I first created ‘The Memory Remains’ right back in my formulative years as professional artist. I knew there was potential with the heart-warming sentiment behind that piece and despite me writing this, sat staring at a screen knowing that I need to invest in some reading glasses, I have never been one to be short sighted.
Like I said, I knew there was a cracking potential to write many more chapters, but the way this has evolved into many different scenarios that paint a picture of so many of our childhoods has been so much fun. Without tooting my trumpet, I love how my mind works and to do this as a career is, well, the bollocks! However, I genuinely believe that a catalyst for the way this story has grown is down to you lunatics! The way so many have adored my retro toy laden art has been amazing and has inspired me to create what I have done over the past years.
Despite how successful ‘The Memory Remains’ series was, I stopped it at the four pieces. Not only did that reflect the very first concept and layout of the original scene but I didn’t want it to end up having more spin offs than ‘The Fast and Furious’ movie franchise! Yet, it is the determination to think outside of the box that has led to the parallels that have been born, such as ‘Skool’s Out!’ and the latest ‘Bollocks to...’ pieces. I wanted to open new windows into other scenarios after the point when we took those toys home from the toy shops, whether that be to the local park in the summer holidays, the Lido, or our homes.
Back in 2022 I created ‘Bollocks to Bedtime!’ and it was an instant hit, selling so well as limited edition prints and more recently the collector’s puzzle. Keeping that trumpet locked away, I still must admit that it does look a bit good doesn’t it! So, for 2024 I was keen to expand on this and not just show another room in the house but to show how us kids turned into teenagers and all the chaos that came with it. Positioning the scene would have meant that the troublesome teens would have been living in the early 90s’ which was a brilliant era! This immediately generated so many potential references to draw from as well as reigniting some wonderful memories.
Initially, the plan was to open the door into the teenager’s den, to allow me to combine the links that you all love, classic movies, arcade games and retro toys. Yet what you now see is much different and I feel even more engaging. What I have done is to create the ultimate basement hang out for big kids, where the entire family refuse to grow up! This link between the kids and parents was formed through showing you through into the garage and a pristine Harley Davidson parked just behind a gleaming Ford Escort Mexico! What is great is then noticing how some details show that the parents also used that space in the past and it now forms a cracking place for the family to hang out as individuals and collectively. Oh, and even the family dog wants a look in, maybe to just laze about on the battered old sofa, speaking of which, does it look familiar to you?!
As with so many of my pieces that totally immerse me whilst creating them, this scene grew and grew as more memories flooded back in and the concept evolved. As with ‘Bollocks to Bedtime!’ when the title came from a last-minute edition into the room, the same happened here, albeit slightly earlier on. Some pieces see the title born right at the start, but this was an example of being aware that what is being created is amazing but having no clue as what to call it! I will give you a little insight, there was mention of doing a ‘Toy Story’ piece next year and it was from that where the title would come to light. It was that refusal to let your cherished toys from earlier years go despite becoming a teenager, we can all relate to that, and I remember the boxed up toys from Andy’s room in the movie so it started me thinking!
Despite the focus needing to be kept on the early 90’s, I have shown a corner of the scene to have a number of boxes that were destined for the car boot sale or garage and have been intercepted. The scrawled writing tells you exactly what was thought to that! This was great to allow the visual and conceptual link to previous pieces, as I love how many of you collect the series of these to display in your homes. It also is where the title came from, and from this point is where I started injecting some subtle details to mimic this, just pure good fun! Just like the kid’s bedroom, the basement is an absolute mess! The closer you look you can clearly see that a few parties have been held down there, PARTY TIME…. EXCELLENT!
I am so excited for the reaction to this piece; I didn’t want it to end when I was creating it. Whilst the previous piece was vivid and lairy in its colour palette, this is bright but warm, it reflects how it makes you feel when you position yourself in the scene and how those wonderful memories come flooding back. We all need that don’t we. The importance of a family unit and a great upbringing that we maybe took for granted at times. So, it’s not just a piece focused on the past, no. It’s one for the present and the future as it reminds us how we can create many more memories and live and love the right way. At the risk of sounding a bit soppy, I just absolutely love how I feel from producing my nostalgic scenes, I need it and clearly so do you. We all have different memories to look back on, those brightest will always remain. Sometimes the years that followed would have blackened them but to know that my art helps to reignite that flame is inspiring and to hear of your reasons for collecting my work is genuinely humbling. Love you guys!
I will sign off with three other words, BUM, WIGGY… BOLLOCKS!
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- Released: 2024
- Collection: Decadence
- Edition Size: 1 of 1 Original
- Specification: Hand embellished heavyweight artist canvas, bespoke frame, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size (Approx): 54” x 41"
-
- Get in touch for overseas delivery
- Please allow approximately 14 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.
‘Dressed To Kill’ (James Bond) - The Original - SOLD
- To say I have quite a few collectors who are avid James Bond fans is an understatement! So here you go, it’s ‘Dressed to Kill’ and I hope that it leaves you both shaken AND stirred!
I like to mix things up, and that is not just subject matter but also on the style of my work. Art with meaning without a doubt and some are so intensely driven by multi layered narratives, complex concepts, and hidden messaging. However, sometimes it is great to simply go crazy on impact and technical aspects to create a piece that can simply be enjoyed and embraced for its subject matter, and this is what I have done here!
In 2023 I set about planning what would go into my Spring / Summer collection for 2024 and a James Bond London scene was pencilled in from the start. I am so proud of my work to date on Britain’s favourite secret agent and the mix of imagery, from subtle scenes that showcase the interaction between machine and landscape through to pieces laden with movie props that take an eternity to seek out.
My initial thinking for this piece was to make it more London than Bond and that would have been successful and that has not been dismissed. However, as this collection evolved, it became clear that it has an intense quality and genuine depth (and darkness) to it and for me, I always strive to curate a body of work that works beautifully as one as well as individually. So, the decision was to create something with genuine class and have big impact yet be subtle and pulled back, not to be overcrowded. Therefore, the role of London would become a beautiful backdrop on the horizon rather than dominating.
I investigated iconic scenes from our capital that featured within the movies and toyed with the idea of using the MI6 building as the base. However, what you see here is the splendid architecture of Somerset House that creates the structure for the scene, with a combination of Bond’s headquarters and the Houses of Parliament and the stunning dome of St Pauls. Somerset House is perfect as was featured in both ‘Goldeneye’ and ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ and it allowed me to overlay some subtle details for you lot to seek out, some are so subtle I struggle to remember what they are, so if you don’t know then the chances are that we are in the same boat! I have managed to get every Bond movie poster overlaid with the background of the scene so good luck with that!
As dramatic and varied as the movies are, the overriding quality is class, utter class, be it through the Aston Martin or the evening wear. I set about creating a piece that resonated style and one that could simply be enjoyed as the very best of Bond. So, the emphasis was switched from a complex narrative to one of technical precision where I challenged myself to produce an incredibly complicated image by means of the production aspect to create a unified quality rather than a mishmash of characters that you often see. It had to look believable.
There are many examples of pieces that features the iconic Bonds over the years, each with their own style and done with varying degrees of success. Each to their own and all. My goal was to take the 6 James Bond characters (I wasn’t fussed with the other one that barely anyone can remember his name) and get them in front of you. For those who have followed my work for a while will no doubt know that I love any opportunity to get an iconic car into the scene and this was always on the list. Is there a more iconic and beautiful car? Everyone has their favourite Bond and car, for me personally it was Connery and the DB5 as it brings me back to my childhood. The earlier films are the ones that always resonate with me. I’ll be honest, I am still to find time to watch the latest movie and am still crushed from someone telling me that he dies! Who knew?!
As an artist I feel that you need to challenge yourself, to keep building and showing progression in your ability. It was incredibly satisfying to create something that was so technically difficult and to see how it sits in print. I can’t wait to hear what my collectors think to ‘Dressed to Kill’, hopefully this is the ultimate piece for the true James Bond fan. I’ll drink to that, although I’ll take a Malibu over a Martini!
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- Released: 2024
- Collection: Decadence
- Edition Size: 1 of 1 Original
- Specification: Embellished canvas, custom frame with diamond dusted inlay, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 58” x 36"
- Framed Size (Approx): 64” x 41"
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- Get in touch for overseas delivery
- Please allow approximately 14 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.
‘Get Out of the Water’ (Jaws) - The Original
£4,850.00
- This bloody film still haunts me! Hopefully I’m not alone, that would just be embarrassing, wouldn’t it?
2016 saw me create a collection all on iconic movies, I chose to call it ‘Lost in Hollywood’ after a System of a Down track. Who knew?! I had no idea that it would be so well received and create the platform to really build and evolve as an artist when I embarked on my journey as an independent artist in 2018. 4 more collections followed and countless other pieces that sit within the ‘LIH brand, and we have barely scratched the surface. Speaking of surfaces….
Within that 2016 collection was a piece entitled ‘You’re Gonna Need A Bigger Boat’ – a dramatic and unique interpretation on the Spielberg classic ‘JAWS’! What this piece also did was first introduce the statement that ‘greed breeds monsters’ – a concept that has continued to feature within my work as my experience grew. My take on JAWS looked at who was really the monster and intruder, was this a case of a man-made monster? That piece was so successful for many a reason, but I know you lot loves the sense of depth and vibrancy that masked the sinister nature of it and its concept.
So, when planning this Spring / Summer collection and looking back to past collections there was one piece that I had never done a follow up to and that was JAWS, this was probably down to a genuine fear of the robotic bitch and what lies beneath in open water. I have created several pieces that are seascapes, depicting The Goonies and Pirates of the Caribbean among others so this was a particular pull for me. The initial thinking was to create a similar composition to my 2019 ‘Lost Boys’ piece ‘Thou Shalt Not Fall’ where you saw details on the beach of Amity Island and then the iconic Orca boat moored just offshore. I made a start and then felt a pull, not on my leg luckily, although that is often George the Bulldog! Something didn’t feel right, and it became clear. I wanted to play on the unease that comes from being isolated in the ocean and that fear of not knowing what lies beneath, the more you think about it and if you let it run riot within your mind can become claustrophobic, well so they say ;)
So that plan was sunk, and I embarked on a different direction where this sense of isolation and vulnerability could shine (how funny, I’m typing so quickly I just typed the word ‘shit’ and now ‘shot’ trying to write ‘shit’. I’ve been here too long! ‘Get Out of The Water’ is such a striking image and shows the contrast between an ageing and battered ‘Orca’ boat bobbing up and down within a vast expanse of sea. It was actually the boat that went in much later on as I wanted to focus on the seascape and the sky above to create the atmosphere. Have you seen it yet?! Red light spells danger, right?
Danger can come at you from every direction in such a remote environment and that screams here! Look closely… Once the background was complete, I was absolutely buzzing and without doubt this piece involved the most amount of test prints to get the colours right and to ensure that you could see enough but not too much! When the boat was in place it just took the image to a whole never level, getting the size ratio bang on was critical. It was then time for the subtle details, and I mean really subtle. Going back to earlier when I mentioned that I have asked the question as to who the real monster is and who is killing who, look closely at the cracking oil drum that tarnishes the ocean ‘KINTNER’ – the liquid that flows out into the water links back to the 2016 piece, as do the fish, or what is left of them. Now I know you guys love to seek out the meaning and reasoning why I place a particular detail – well if you get the bird reference then I will be really impressed!
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- Released: 2024
- Collection: Decadence
- Edition Size: 1 of 1 Original
- Specification: Embellished Canvas with custom frame, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size (Approx): 54” x 41"
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- Get in touch for overseas delivery
- Please allow approximately 14 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.
‘It’s Showtime!’ (Beetlejuice) - The Original
£4,850.00
- How the hell has it taken me ten years to take on Beetlejuice?! What a brilliantly bonkers film! Well good things come to those who wait I guess and what with the sequel coming this year that looks incredible, the timing is perfect. It does seem that the movie often gets overlooked but when those memories come back, it very quickly reminds you just how you were fascinated by the plot, the setting, and the brilliant, brilliant characters! It certainly has a cult following.
Released in 1988, it was so wonderfully 80’s, every damned thing about it! I guess that era has stayed so popular for these type of comedy horror movies because of the special effects, great back then but they haven’t aged well – yet because of that it just adds to the warmth that you feel towards it nowadays when such effects are way too over the top and maybe too real. The same applies to Ghostbusters, back in 1984 the way that we saw Slimer, and the terror dogs was so much more fun than what we see in modern instalments like a possessed bin bag or pizza.
It was really interesting to revisit Beetlejuice after so many years, it stirred up so many memories. What it did remind me of was that back then as a ten-year-old little cutie that it was actually scary. Not in terms of the effects because they weren’t bad at all, it was the subject of death. It troubled me when the couple crashed through the bridge and drowned and came back as ghosts, realising that they had perished. Ignoring that though, how incredible is Michael Keaton as an actor, I had no idea that it was the same guy who played Batman so brilliantly. I guess back then (sounding old now!) there was no internet to expand on what you had just watched – you simply enjoyed it for who the actors were playing and nothing more. It was all about the movie and nothing else could get in the way. Pure cinema, pure fascination.
I’m counting how many times I mention Beetlejuice here in case the mouldy faced lunatic bursts in, but I think it’s only if you say it three times in a row, go on I dare you! That reminds me of that dare at school when you were challenged to say a name into the mirror – I’m pretty sure I did it, but nothing happened apart from shitting myself – good that the mirror was in the downstairs toilet! Anyway, back to the movie, it’s showtime!
The very nature of the film’s narrative and aesthetics are perfect for me, dark, quirky, random, and vivid. As part of this collection I had previously worked on a piece based on The Shining ‘REDRUM’ and for that piece I set about depicting the movie in a ‘Storyteller’ way where it is all about the detail and not the characters, Jack was shown only as a shadow and reflection in the mirror and the twins just had to feature but otherwise It was all about the devil well and truly being in the detail. This was to be in line with a past piece called ‘Smile’ where the detail was enough, but the character involvement transformed it. I did contemplate it for Beetlejuice, but the brilliance of the characters was too good to leave out!
I have tried to capture the wonderful qualities of the movie within my interpretation, I have spent so much time adjusting the colour balance so that the piece is dark but vivid but not overpowering or too intense to hang in your living space. Production probably despise me, but I love it, it’s important and you lot are worth it! I was toying with the idea of creating a scene within the loft but feared it may end up being too dark visually, another thought was to set it by the bridge but that clearly still troubles me! The graveyard was a great setting and so different to what you would typically see, devoid of unease but still creepy. Decision made.
The truth is, there are so many amazing settings and references within the film that I had to try and integrate them into my own take on the movie and I quickly realised that this was going to be so successful. I wanted it to be full to bursting but not too busy, pulling big details back to give a better focus and order. It was a solid example of how confident I have been in my decision making. The intensity that I was working at was full on, yet it was combined with such a strong sense of calm. This was the feeling from start to finish with this collection. From a personal level, I needed complete and utter focus, and the end results are really quite something, another example of so much positivity coming from a challenging time.
So, ignoring the main man, who is your favourite ghost in the film? Harry the Hunter? Charred Man?! It’s great how each have clearly died a horrific death yet are so likeable, I feel like I need to give Charred Man a hug, but he would surely disintegrate or leave a blackened mess on my new top. Karma, I hear you cry? Payback from all of you who have been covered from my burnt frames! Whoopsie! Fuck it! I shall never change! Although I better be careful, or I will end up starring in Beetlejuice 3! Anyway, back to the piece! I have a good feeling about this one, you just don’t see artworks in this way depicting the movie so I hope I have done it justice, I love it personally and I can’t wait to hear your reaction. Oh, and if you haven’t seen it, check out the insane frame on the original! I’m still finding bits of that moss where the sun don’t shine!
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- Released: 2024
- Collection: Decadence
- Edition Size: 1 of 1 Original
- Specification: Embellished canvas with custom frame, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size (Approx): 54” x 41"
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- Get in touch for overseas delivery
- Please allow approximately 14 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.
‘Bring Me To Life' (Harry Potter) - The Original - SOLD
- The sheer brilliance of Harry Potter could see it fall within both my ‘Storyteller’ and ‘Lost in Hollywood’ collections, as can many other subjects as many start off in print. For me however, due to the incredible art of Storytelling by J.K Rowling, I have positioned this as a ‘Storyteller’ piece.
As I am celebrating and acknowledging a decade of creating art with meaning, I have spent a good time reflecting on past pieces, from 2014 and 2015 especially when so much of my work was deemed quite niche due to the complexity of the concept and meaning. Many were so obscure you may not have known of the story that it was born from. That was probably a good thing when I was commissioned at that time to create a piece on ‘50 Shades of Grey!’ It was a great period as so many were collector or gallery requests to simply take on a favourite book and interpret it how I saw fit. As an artist in my formative years and one that lacked confidence and direction, I was always humbled by this show of faith in me as a storyteller tasked with looking after their investment as well as a subject that often involved a deeply personal link.
A good number of these were based on Harry Potter, they included The Room of Requirement and Hogwarts and would often involve that choice between darkness and light. So, for 2024 I wanted to embrace this and go back to my roots as such whilst also hopefully demonstrating my progression from a technical perspective. It’s always a tricky one when you list out the subjects that you are going to be releasing as when collectors see a title, their minds start racing and that can be challenging when you know that you have taken something on that is not blatant and instead using the very essence of the story but in a way that means it can relate to many others who may not even know or care that it has links to the title. So, I am always very transparent with that. ‘Draco Dormiens’ and ‘Anything’s Possible’ are two very successful pieces that I have created in the past and both scream Harry Potter without needing to tackle the narrative. For ‘Bring Me To Life’ I wanted to make it all about the meaning.
What you see here is an image and its narrative inspired from a much earlier piece called ‘The Struggle Within’ which focused on the Mirror of Erised and the choices we make with the battle between dark and light. In addition to this I have also embraced the success of past pieces ‘Fight or Flight’ and ‘Lithium’ that each involved a cloaked figure that, along with the meaning, dominated the artwork, making the fairy tale simply become a subtle link. It was the cloaked figure that drew me in with my initial thinking for ‘Bring Me To Life’ as it creates so much intrigue and ability for people to relate for so many reasons. There was a clear link as I could then focus in on the Cloak of Invisibility.
However, I wanted more from this piece. If I had simply put a stationary cloaked figure stood in front of the mirror, it would have looked great but ultimately static. I wanted to push it and myself further and show the point where the reaction happened from when the figure looked into the mirror. That way there is more drama and emotion and a stronger link to the underlying narrative. You must push yourself as an artist and storyteller. So, what you see is almost ghostlike in appearance, it is haunting and creates a response. The cloak of Invisibility and the Mirror of Erised work in unison here through the meaning that drives this piece. What I have done is to depict someone who lacks confidence, self-belief, self-worth and direction and through wearing their cloak they feel or want to feel invisible to others. Sad but true.
Now here is where you take control, what do you see, or need to see? The mirror is meant to show you your deepest, most inner desires, but what do you see? Are we looking at the figure reacting in a positive or negative manner from what they are shown? That’s not for me to dictate. I have simply handed this over to become your artwork, your interpretation, your reason for connecting. Whichever you decide, the next step is the same – the figure has a decision to make, which way do they turn? You can see from the exploding glass shards that there is a reaction, a connection. What we do know is that the truth is there, like it or not. How can you see into my eyes like open doors? Because eyes are like mirrors or doors into one’s soul.
If you look through the exploding glass you will see that the forest awaits, hinting that regardless of which direction you choose to embark on, you are going on a journey. Personally, I absolutely adore this detail, see how the red detail links to the tiny red sections on the stained-glass windows? Look at the scrawled messaging on the walls and the floors if you please. It’s sad, so sad but still ultimately positive. The figure is at that point, looking for answers, for hope, whilst acknowledging where they are at that moment in their life. ‘Searching to find a love upon a higher level’ contrasts with ‘finding nothing but questions and devils’ suggests that they are truly lost and wanting to be found. ‘You are the life among the dead, bring me to life, save me from the nothing I’ve become’. Heart-breaking isn’t it, and sadly all too common. However, no one is ever truly alone, there is always hope and good souls to guide you.
Music drove this piece; it took it to a higher level. It battered me throughout, it haunts me now, I’m trying to type through tears. ‘Last Resort – Reimagined by Falling in Reverse is the song. In addition, ‘Bring me to life’ by Evanescence adds to the emotion within the image and its narrative.
I love how close darkness resides to light and the battles that play out between good and evil, it resonates, and runs amok through my art. Life is all about decision making right? So, you’ve seen what you wanted to see or feared you would see. What now? Which way? Look left and you’ll see the beauty of guidance and direction from those who you have loved and learned from. Look right and you see those who haunt you, who stalk you, those who ‘lie’ in wait for you, who prey on your vulnerability. Fuckers! You’re stronger than you think, braver than you realise, and despite what you may think, you are never, ever on your own!
Choose life, please x
‘Happily Never After’ - The Original - SOLD
- Following on from my debut collection ‘Matryoshka’ in 2014, it was my ‘Storyteller’ works that started gaining traction and an appreciation for how my mind works. I was intrigued by the contrast between what we were read as children and what the original versions of each story involved. It was shocking! The Brothers Grimm, I salute you, you dark, twisted fucks! A big shout out to Mr Hans Christian Andersen too, you absolute rotter!
So, this is where it really started, the fascination for how darkness resides in such proximity to light and how the lines are blurred in the middle. I was not in a good place at all back then and I guess this is what resonated so strongly, that contrast between making out that all is good and light, yet the reality was much, much darker, despairingly grimm.
Looking back to my artwork in education, some of that was twisted too yet I had a stable and wonderful upbringing, interesting! As a naive professional artist starting out, I found it mind-blowing that someone could find such an affiliation to my thoughts laid out in print. My first chapter involved incredibly surreal works such as ‘Say My Name Bitch’, ‘Toile and Trouble’, ‘High Ho’ and ‘Policeman and Pirates’ and I was so proud of the results. The originals were my real opportunity to truly express myself creatively despite lacking so much confidence, the prints did well but it was the number of commissions that came from the first couple of chapters that blew my mind.
It was clear in 2016 when I launched ‘Lost in Hollywood’ – a bold collection of my interpretations of iconic movies, that this subject matter had a much bigger appeal and ultimately saw a higher demand for prints. ‘Storyteller’ risked becoming a dirty word as was deemed more niche, yet it was where my heart was. I needed it, it was where I shouted the loudest through my work. A key factor was that these pieces didn’t feature characters, it was left to the details that were hidden or woven into the scene to tell my story and give you an insight into the multi layered narratives that drove each piece. It allowed me to be so surreal, random, clever, and true. It allowed me to be me.
Since choosing to become an independent artist back in 2018 to work without restrictions, it immediately proved to be a brilliant decision and things quickly grew. My very first piece that I released was a classic ‘Storyteller’ piece entitled ‘Rumposilshkin’ – it was dark, twisted and so authentic. I wanted to make it clear that despite the successes of other subjects deemed more commercial that I was going to remain true to why I create art in the first place.
So, ten years into my art career and ‘Decadence’ has given me the perfect opportunity to work in that way and create my latest ‘Storyteller’ piece to hopefully show my wonderful and loyal collectors that there are so many more chapters left to write and to demonstrate how I have grown and evolved as an artist from a technical perspective and on production level also. Are you sitting comfortably? I present to you ‘Happily Never After – a striking image that is crammed full of detail, clues, hidden meaning, and references to Chapter One. Let’s begin…
What I have done is to depict an abandoned theme park that has fallen into a state of disrepair through lack of use. There are so many links, big and small, to my earlier works, so many crazy references for you to seek out. Remember as a kid when you walked up to the entrance and you caught sight of the big rides in the distance, it was so exciting. For me, it was the ‘Meli’ park in De Panne – Belgium that captivated me and my imagination. I still seek out photos and videos online where possible – it seems like a different world back then. Smoutebollen changed my life!
The reason that the Kingdom of Happily Never After has fallen into this sorry state is down to a new age – the digital age. It is the acknowledgement of a transition from children needing and wanting to use their imagination to truly play and pretend through to everything being on tap so to speak, available at the click of a button. When you think back to being a kid and the roleplay and the freedom to really play without any restrictions, without any genuine danger, what came from that was beautiful. So, there are references to this movement within the scene, mainly through the wardrobe that offers visits to Narnia from £149 per person for twenty minutes. Stripping out all that is magical and making it all about money, greed breeds monsters.
I am proud of every piece that I create for many different reasons, this piece really is everything to me. I love it! I was so completely immersed from start to finish and it was hard to stop and acknowledge that it was done, I probably could have stopped a day before and it would have looked superb, but I would have known that it could have gone further. So, what do you lot think? I hope that this gives you so much enjoyment seeking out and interpreting all the references and links to past chapters. Speaking of chapters, another one has opened and so many more are yet to be written. What is so incredible is that this incredible platform that I have to talk through my art has become a solid career, pure hard graft and a brilliant set up ensures that there will be no ending, but we will all live happily ever after.
To everyone who has bought a ‘Storyteller’ piece, thank you. I absolutely bloody love you! X
‘REDRUM’ (The Shining) - The Original - SOLD
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‘Have you seen The Shining?’
‘No, absolutely fuck that! No chance’
‘Wow, ok, you must, you’ll love it!’
‘Nope, fuck no! My mind is dark enough already!’
Well thank you very much! This is your doing, you kept bloody asking and I have finally given what you want. So, you better buy the thing!
What a terrifying movie, ridiculously brilliant. It’s one of those that you had no idea that so many of the references that you see in sketches have come from The Shining. Now, what is more terrifying? The horror and gore, or the destruction to one’s mental health and the sheer terror that unfolds as a result. For me, the latter. Without doubt.
If you know my work and my inspiration then you will know that mental health runs strongly throughout so much of art and its gritty undertow, so The Shining was a brilliant opportunity to embrace that and harness that emotion to create something so intense that it burns inside out. After all the years of saying no, it feels good to have confronted it – the fact that my daughter mocked me for not seeing it when she had already pushed me towards it. Oh, by the way, before anyone calls the authorities, she is 18 now, although come to think about it, I dread to think when she watched it! Let’s move on quickly!
The Shining is another great example where it could easily sit within my ‘Storyteller’ works as well as my ‘Lost in Hollywood’ collection, but I appreciate that visually, the strength comes from what we saw on screen. What this does, however, is give me the opportunity to treat the piece as a ‘Storyteller’ project and give the focus upon the detail as opposed to the characters, to build that sense of intrigue and suspense, to put you right into the scene, good luck with that! However, the sheer intensity of those bloody twin girls couldn’t be overlooked so for a small detail, they are massive! Jack holding the axe has been shown only as a sinister shadow and as a reflection in the mirror. It was all about the devil well and truly being in the detail.
Colour played a big part in the film despite the harshness of the settings, who can forget that sight of the blood elevator, words fail me. Then there is the blue bike and the psychedelic carpet. I set about making this a big feature. I always get feedback from those close to me whilst I work on each piece and one comment was that the scene looked like ‘Resident Evil’ but more sinister, I’ll take that! Don’t get any ideas about commissioning that please! Anyone for Winne the Pooh?!
The aim was to mimic a much earlier piece ‘The Wolf Within’ that was a brutally dark interpretation of Red Riding Hood where mental health and its destructive force ran riot and burned so intensely. You’ll see that the colour palette is very similar, another example of a niche piece but one that is adored by those who have one hell of a dark side. Lunatics! I use thorns a lot in pieces to depict evil, they creep and crawl around the scene, attempting to turn all things bad and suffocate good. They amplify the toxicity of the piece and its narrative; I love using them – so much that they feature on the original piece – health and safety can bugger right off in the name of art!
Considering I held off tackling The Shining for so long, I had to really go for it and to put it to bed. The trouble is that the end results are so exciting and authentic that there are many more options to revisit on this one. Not yet though, I need to skip through a field of daisies and catch butterflies in my bonnet first. I will be honest though, something arrived yesterday from America that is part of a future project and it’s everything that I hoped it would be, for now though, it can hide in the cupboard!
I can’t wait to learn what is your favourite part of ‘REDRUM’, there are so many special touches that I am proud of. It was a classic example of challenging myself technically but working with a real ferocity to be authentic and to inject such a strong feeling of rage within that it does look like it is combusting in front of you, from the inside out. A particular detail that I feel is so powerful and apt is how good and evil are battling it out. The vast majority of the times when I have shown this there is only ever one winner but look closely and you will see a single dove being attacked from all angles, facing a seemingly impossible task due to how evil is fuelled and taking over. It is so powerful and perfectly depicts how one’s demons can take control and their shadows grow so tall behind them that they can’t then see the whitest of walls.
So, you dark gits have got what you want, happy now?!I hope you enjoy this piece forever… and ever… and ever.
‘The Trilogy’ (Star Wars VHS Box Set) - The Original
£3,595.00
- Ok, I am so bloody excited about this piece! So excited that I’m trying to write the narrative ahead of its release and all I can get down is fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu********KKKKK! Only joking! The fact that it is being unveiled as a completely secret image has just amplified everything!
When I created my VHS editions a few years back I knew that they offered something unique and authentic. The format and my determination to go the extra mile, created editions that had an original quality to them with the hand finished detail and customisation, whilst the size allowed for collectors to either fill that awkward space or create a cracking collection of their favourite movies from the pieces that I created. They have been so popular and have led to several other formats that have evolved my brand as well as my portfolio.
In truth, I have been wanting to create a box set edition for what seems like an age. As with so much, it is all a question of timing and I guess the best things come to those who wait eh! 2016 was the year when I launched my now sought after ‘Lost in Hollywood’ series of iconic movies. Each film has so many possible interpretations, the possibilities are vast! When you then have the opportunity to embrace follow up editions through sequels then it really does open the door to truly embrace the collectability nature of my art and movie box sets that so many of us loved to own. I guess it was my destiny!
I am so proud of my Star Wars pieces that I have created to date, I have always strived to produce respectful works that amplify all that is amazing with the earlier films, embracing the very essence of darkness and light and the battle between good and bad! In line with these works, I have always been honest to acknowledge that I am not a Star Wars obsessive, but I respect those that are. So, I have continually strived to create exciting and powerful pieces of art that amplify all that we know and love from growing up as kids whilst not trying to make them be something that they shouldn’t. I am so pleased to see these continually be so collectible. Thank you.
So, with 2024 marking a decade in this ridiculous industry, I saw it as the perfect time to deliver a new format that opens the opportunity to create others on movies that are acclaimed for their multiples. I already know what I will take on next! For now, though, I need to block that out of my mind, not an easy task. Some VHS editions lend themselves perfectly to adapting an earlier piece into the format and that is cool, however for The Trilogy box set I wanted it to be all new, and wow! I am so bloody pleased with the results!
Ok so my thinking was this. I wanted to showcase the three original movies, ‘A New Hope’, ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ and ‘The Return of The Jedi’ and whilst ensuring that each image was dramatic in its own right, I wanted them to flow from one to another and not to jolt as you looked from left to right. They had to work as one. I knew that the key factor to the success of this piece would be the choice of scene to depict. I know everyone has their own and you can’t please everyone, but I did so much research into what was deemed to be the most iconic moments from each and then if I could get them to work and to resonate, not just with my audience but with myself to remain authentic.
So, let’s start with ‘A New Hope’ – the scene that I have based my artwork on is so incredibly powerful and full of emotion. The colours are beautiful and draw parallels with my 2019 piece ‘Shifting Sands’. The isolated figure of Luke stood watching the horror that he came back to, that sense of helplessness is so strong. The detail that I then injected into the scene had to be subtle but play a part and acknowledge that this was the moment when he would ultimately choose his destiny and channel that hurt that would fuel his fire.
Second was ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ and wow, what a moment. In 2016 I created a unique piece entitled ‘Teach You I Will’ that depicted Yoda through smoked outlines. The background hinted at being the swamps of Dagobah, an environment that always fascinated me as a kid watching the movie. So, for me, this had to be the scene, when Luke is being trained and guided by Yoda and set on his path. That moment when the X-Wing was lifted out from the swamp was so damned good!
Finally, if you know my work then you know that I love to work within forest scenes and ‘The Return of The Jedi’ gave me a cracking opportunity to do just that. A much earlier piece ‘Battles Passed’ took you to the forests of Endor and was such a wonderfully subtle scene where key details were hidden and obscured. This time however, I wanted to go big and showcase the battle that raged amongst the beautiful fauna, such a contrast! One powerful detail that is so serene is the puddle that shows the reflection of a very special trio. I love how this has turned out.
I am so pleased with the result, not just how 3 VHS’s work alongside each other but with how the three images complement and contrast. Each is a very different movie, yet the overriding narrative is one of choosing your destiny, being set on the right path by those who inspire and guide you, even through spirit. It’s the importance of acknowledging the destructive force of the dark side despite its appeal when you are vulnerable and embracing the good around you and within. Oh, and being prepared to fight for everything that you deserve with everything that you have.
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- Released: 2024
- Collection: Decadence
- Edition Size: 1 of 1 Original
- Specification: Hand embellished heavyweight artist canvas, custom frame, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 46” x 24"
- Framed Size (Approx): 52” x 29"
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- Get in touch for overseas delivery
- Please allow approximately 14 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.