Storyteller Original Works
Inspired by the classic stories from our childhood
Confronting the powerful and often disturbing undertones set out by the original authors such as the ‘Brothers Grimm’ and Hans Christian Andersen, these are embraced through a surreal visual representation like no other. Pieces are fused with topical messaging and intense detail, combining grit and darkness with beauty and light that creates an intriguing and thought provoking digital statement.
Toile & Trouble (Hansel & Gretel) - Original
- Avoiding the much used cottage in a wood clearing synonymous with Hansel and Gretel, you are instead exposed to a vast space and a very different environment than you first thought existed. This piece magnifies the sense of scale whilst representing the act of being tricked and misled with wonderfully enticing sweets and cakes sitting amongst the rawness of black magic, witchcraft and imprisonment that pays homage to the dark minds of the Brothers Grimm. The devil is in the detail, literally.
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- Released: 2015
- Collection: Storyteller
- Specification: 1 of 1 original framed embellished canvas, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size: 54” x 41"
Red Light Spells Danger (Little Red Riding Hood) - Original
- Little Red Riding Hood was a seduction tale with a truly awful undertone that tore through the pages penned by the original author. A tale of disguise, trickery and appalling acts, all of which are confronted and embraced within this captivating piece that draws you in and keeps you there. A battle of the senses takes hold leading to confusion with brutal stripped back evil hidden behind delicate beauty whilst all the time in the background burns an act so destructive it surely can’t be real, can it?
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- Released: 2015
- Collection: Storyteller
- Specification: 1 of 1 original framed embellished canvas, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size: 54” x 41"
Say My Name Bitch (Rumplestiltskin) - Original
- A light-filled room is the setting for this intriguing interpretation of Rumplestiltskin originally told by the Brothers Grimm. Taking centre stage is an industrial alternative to the typical wooden spinning wheel that mimics the story’s German heritage and better suits the intensity of the volume of straw that was turned into gold. This piece references the anger and lies that run through the story and through subtle clues and tiny detail plot out the key points and characters from this childhood classic.
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- Released: 2015
- Collection: Storyteller
- Specification: 1 of 1 original framed embellished canvas, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size: 54” x 41"
Love Will Leave You Blind (Rapunzel) - Original
- Set in a harsh and afforested Bavaria, this takes the classic tale of Rapunzel by the Brothers Grimm to a completely different place where greed, deceit, lust and wrath combine and burn to devastating effect. In the pursuit of love a gleaming German sports car lies abandoned in front of a crumbling tower where the innocence of love meets a destructive force, where is everybody? This is no fairy tale but is there a happy ending? We have only just scratched the surface.
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- Released: 2015
- Collection: Storyteller
- Specification: 1 of 1 original framed embellished canvas, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size: 54” x 41"
You Reap What You Sow (Jack & The Beanstalk) - Original
- Poverty and hardship exist side by side with wealth and power in a striking rework of Benjamin Tabart’s Jack and the Beanstalk. Portraying mans’ effect on the landscape in both a positive and negative way we see the emptiness of Ypriana Farm sat in the shadows of two monstrous plants that loom upwards towards the sky. This piece cleverly depicts how a futile but honest attempt to work in harmony with nature contrasts with the ramifications that exist from the giant that man has come to fear.
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- Released: 2015
- Collection: Storyteller
- Specification: 1 of 1 original framed embellished canvas, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size: 54” x 41"
A Minute Past Midnight (Cinderella) - Original
- Captured in mid transition, Cinderellas Pumpkin coach has come to rest on the cobblestones under the glow of the Italian night sky. This piece is a concept of time, embracing the reality of how quickly things can change. Rags to riches and right back again. Fools gold?
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- Released: 2016
- Collection: Storyteller
- Specification: 1 of 1 original framed embellished canvas, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size: 54” x 41"
Marry Me Bitch! (The Beauty & The Beast) - Original
- Love, devotion and determination burn alongside frustration, jealousy and despair within the castle walls. This is beauty and the beast in a very literal sense. Dark forces are at work here, within the shadows, clouding the clear. Count to 10, patience is a virtue they say, ain’t that the truth!
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- Released: 2016
- Collection: Storyteller
- Specification: 1 of 1 original framed embellished canvas, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size: 54” x 41"
Hell & High Water (Noah's Ark) - Original
- My interpretation of Noah’s Ark, entitled ‘Hell and High Water’ was a great subject to tackle and one that I wanted to do genuine justice to. The title being a reflection on Gods’ act to wipe out all that was bad and bring the flood. There is also a hint there to life onboard the ark, not all plain sailing and that, trying to imagine the frustration, worry, boredom and cramped conditions for all those within the Ark.
The scene shows a beautiful expanse of calm water with a hint of the destructing land in the distance from what they are sailing away from. The tops of the mountains and volcanoes are visible, smoking above the waters, with flashes of lightning. Here I wanted to make you question whether these are visible due to the water not quite reaching the summits or if the waters are receeding and leaving the fires of hell still burning - hinting that God didn’t quite achieve a total cleanse - dark forces still remain.
You always see artist interpretations of the Ark being tossed about on huge waves or when you do see an image in calm waters, the ark is sterile and not shown in true context in my opinion. So I wanted to set about constructing an imposing and intriguing boat, pieced together from single strips of wood and other textures. I wanted to focus on perspective in my work, to create subtle drama in the composition and scale.
The Ark is huge, as soon as you add the animals it conveys just how big it is otherwise as it is surrounded by water it would be hard to achieve that. I wanted to think long-term, those on board need food and reminders of their natural habitat. The deck has a cut away area where animals interact with trees, trees that attract birds. The Ark has fishing nets set out, not quite the feeding of the five thousand but another hint of long-term survival.
You typically only see cramped animals on deck in imagery, I have shown sea life following the Ark, all for one and one for all messaging - they are joining the journey for survival. I think by adding the animals, birds and sea life in this way it really adds something lovely without impacting on the integrity of the piece. I hope you like where I have taken this piece, personally I love it and feel that I have created something unique, respectful and beautiful. -
- Released: 2016
- Collection: Storyteller
- Specification: 1 of 1 original framed embellished canvas, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size: 54” x 41"
Dare To Dream (The BFG) - Original
- There is so much to draw on from the story, but for me, there was one line from the BFG that kick-started my thinking - where he said he wasn’t a coward. It was the seed for me looking at how the state of mind of the BFG could take a lead role in my interpretation. He is undoubtedly good, he resides amongst all these terrible giants yet has made it his life’s work to catch dreams, filter them and give them to the sleeping children. Look at his relationship with Sophie, really lovely. However what if the lines became blurred?
To those who see him in his cloak, in the shadows, tie him to the disappearance of the town’s children, but he keeps telling himself he is good. Everyone has demons, voices, doubts. What if his naive, child-like nature was infiltrated and overwhelmed by these dark thoughts? It’s just a bad dream isn’t it? You always wake up fine, unaffected, right? They’re just children, it’s just a dream.
In a clear state of mind, when he’s on the job he meticulously filters and sorts the good from the bad, my piece sets out the scene when for reasons only known to him the dream bottles have been mixed up. How can something so beautiful do so much bad? It’s just a dream anyway... will be fine in the morning anyway. Dare to dream?
In my piece the BFG is on the street in the midnight hour with the effects of his work there for all to see, but so are the battles between what he does, or thinks he does, and those that despise and fear him. For example the walls and balcony are daubed with negative and aggressive messaging and often show a reply from the BFG to hit back. Are these from the townsfolk or are these in fact the battles in his head laid out for all to see? His Dream Case is his most personal and treasured possession, the conflict, frustrations and battles spill out onto this too.
The scene puts beauty first, to the front albeit mixed with darkness. Things lay in the shadows, catch your eye and then stay with you, reminiscent of the plot and his mindset maybe? I wanted to create a piece that was brilliantly beautiful, wonderfully dark and ultimately dream-like, to make you think, to take you away into your own place, just as the BFG does.
‘Just let me do good’.
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- Released: 2016
- Collection: Storyteller
- Specification: 1 of 1 original framed embellished canvas, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size: 54” x 41"
Where Demons Roam (Sleeping Beauty) - Original
- The concept for this piece plays on the fact that sleeping beauty was pricked and fell asleep at 16. Darker versions tell of the prince being obsessed by her and raping her whilst alseep which is pretty bad, not something I would reference but only adds to the intensity of the story. My concept is to portray a scene where a girl became a mother at a young age and subsequently life passed her by, effectively being asleep (there’s a reference to being fine before the little prick!). The baby reference is therefore used without any refernence to anything worse.
Detail within the piece outlines her state of mind and the battle with her demons. The battle between dark and light, good and bad battle it out within her four walls, being the thorns and the roses. The fact that the thorn exists so close to the petal on a rose is perfect and is why I use so frequently as I use it to symbolise the two sides to a person’s character and their personal battles.
She has regressed within her walls and herself, yet there are still subtle touches that depict beauty and serenity, yet so close to how she sees herself (the reason the mirror has been taken down from the wall and defaced).
Her scrawls on the walls, bed and mirror are based on lyrics by Arnor Dan (vocalist on ITVs Broadchurch and lead singer of Icelandic band Agent Fresco). The song in particular that inspired me with the concept for this piece is ‘Bemoan’ - it’s incredible and fitting, all about not wanting the bell of age to ring for him - to not be left behind and how his demons are so tall and so many that he cant see the white of walls. The lyrics are special.
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- Released: 2016
- Collection: Storyteller
- Specification: 1 of 1 original framed embellished canvas, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size: 54” x 41"
For Whom The Bell Tolls (Cinderella) - Original
- Set within the post-midnight hours this piece centers around a huge bell that has smashed down into the pavement, crushing one of the ugly sisters. The bell has KARMA inscribed onto it, playing on the title of the piece - act like you do and time will catch up with you.
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- Released: 2016
- Collection: Storyteller
- Specification: 1 of 1 original framed embellished canvas, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size: 54” x 41"
Policemen & Pirates (Peter Pan) - Original
- This piece explores the synergies between Peter Pan and Michael Jackson and is set within an abandoned Neverland Ranch. An imposing and condemned pirate ship, rusting bus and rollercoaster stand still, surrounded by signs of happier times where childhood innocence was king.
I wanted to show a clear link to Peter Pan and Michael Jackson as it clearly existed whilst he was alive and also plays on the darkness of the original story and the controversy surrounding Jacko. The title itself has a childlike game quality to it like cops and robbers etc which works with the subject matter and mentality.
For me, the dominant fairground ride had to be a pirate ship as I have fond memories as a child from holidays to Belgium (the birth place of my Mother). We would always visit the ‘Meli’ theme park in De Panne and it was the first thing you would see when through the gates, I always remember the loud whoosh of the boat gainst the little tyre and the lights that ran up each side.
The pirate ship and supporting structure was constructed from scratch, using textures and random objects that I saw potential to transform i.e. swimming pool steps for the harnesses on the boat. The green lights represent Peter Pan whilst the blue signify police lights. Fires burn in the pit below, referencing hell whilst the metal steps in front of the ship show ‘Stand and face the hounds of hell’ a line from Jackos ‘Thriller’ and again represent he darker accusations that existed.
The front of the ship show as a statue of Jacko, leaning forwards like his classic pose. The rear of the ship shows a mermaid as so often does on these rides, put in to link to my previous piece on the Little Mermaid whilst a chimp, ‘Bubbles’ sits against one of the steel legs.
Other key characters such as the crocodile, Captain Hook, Tinkerbell and Wendy are all referenced within the scene whilst the rusted bus behind the ship features graffiti by ‘The Lost Boys’ and the bus shows Neverland on the side, subtle shadows are on the bus also.There is a real subtle silhouette of Peter that exists but that is for you to find! Through setting the lighting in the way that I have it allows for shadows to be part of the scene, a must seeing as though they are such a big part of the original concept of Peter Pan. Some are simply cast from trees, others have more life to them.
There is always a really powerful feel to seeing a theme park devoid of life, more so when it is being reclaimed by nature. Peter Pan does have a dark side in its’ narrative and original concept and the links to ‘The King Of Pop’ adds so much more should you choose to go there. The sense of loss and sadness is contrasted with the use of vivd colour in parts, quirky details and a beautiful sky where sunlight symbolises hope. A keen eye will notice a solitary flower that refuses to be overpowered by the wild grasses and weeds that surround it. This further conveys this sense of hope and is actually one of my favourite parts of this piece. -
- Released: 2016
- Collection: Storyteller
- Specification: 1 of 1 original framed embellished canvas, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size: 54” x 41"
High Ho (Snow White) - Original
- She didn’t live happily ever after, she had her prince, she threw it all away. Holed up in a derelict church, with just the circling wolves for company this hard-hitting piece shows the destructive force of cocaine addiction. Subtle touches and scrawled messaging hint at Snow Whites’ battles to turn her life around and find her true love.
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- Released: 2016
- Collection: Storyteller
- Specification: 1 of 1 original framed embellished canvas, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 48” x 36"
- Framed Size: 54” x 41"