Studio

Inside The Studio

A closer look at the work, the materials and the ideas behind Surreal Mindscapes.

Some pieces begin with an image. Others with a few words, a memory or a feeling. Some arrive quietly. Others take considerably more persuasion.

Three elements return to my work again and again: graphite, impasto and negative space.

I love graphite for its uncertainty — searching lines and unfinished fragments that feel a little like memory itself: never entirely complete, yet somehow enough.

Sometimes an image asks for words, too — a few lines carrying something the image cannot.

Impasto brings weight, movement and an almost sculptural presence. Sometimes it takes only a few deliberate gestures. Occasionally, considerably more requires a metaphorical shovel.

And then there is what I choose not to fill. Negative space gives the work somewhere to breathe, leaving room for the imagination to complete what is missing.

The idea comes first. The visual language follows.

This is where they begin to take shape.

From Screen To Print

Each artwork is printed on Hahnemühle German Etching 310 gsm — a heavyweight Fine Art paper with a beautifully tactile surface and subtle natural texture.

Its character complements the graphite-inspired marks, painterly detail and tonal depth within the work, allowing the paper itself to become part of the finished piece.

The matt surface keeps colours beautifully considered and allows quieter details and areas of negative space to retain their softness. The result is a print that feels less like an image transferred onto paper and more like a finished artwork with its own physical presence.

Each print is carefully wrapped in protective tissue paper to help protect its surface during storage and delivery.

How The Work Takes Shape

Each piece begins differently.

Sometimes with an image, sometimes with a few words, a memory or a small detail that refuses to disappear.

Graphite, painterly texture, quiet areas of untouched paper and — in the Literary Keepsakes — words are brought together slowly, until nothing feels unnecessary.

The aim is not to fill the page, but to leave enough space for the work to breathe.

Bespoke Artwork

Sometimes a name and a date are enough.
Sometimes there’s a whole story behind the gift.

A few words that carry a meaning of their own. A small memory. A moment you still think about. Something you’ve always wanted someone to know.

If you have a story you’d love to turn into a keepsake, you’re welcome to tell me about it.

This is the part where I give myself permission to be just a little bit nosy. I may ask about the people, the memories, the tiny details and the things that might seem completely unimportant — because very often, those are the things that make a story yours.

You don’t need to have the right words or know what the finished piece should look like. Tell me your story and, if it feels like the right fit for my work, I’ll come back to you with a creative idea for how I could turn it into a keepsake.

Please allow up to 2 working days for me to consider your story and put together a proposed creative direction.

There’s no obligation to go ahead. If you love the idea and would like me to create it, I’ll provide your individual quotation and invite you to place your bespoke order.

Bespoke Pricing

Bespoke artwork starts from £40 for an A4 piece.

Each commission is individually quoted depending on the nature and complexity of your idea, with the price always confirmed before you purchase.

Using Your Own Photograph

If there’s a photograph that belongs to your story, you’re welcome to send it too — whether it captures a person, a place, a much-loved pet or a moment you’d like to preserve.

For bespoke artwork created from a photograph, I work from one chosen reference image. This helps me preserve the relationships, proportions and feeling of the original moment while interpreting it as a new piece of art.

Your photograph will be used as a creative reference rather than reproduced exactly as it appears. I’ll interpret it through the Surreal Mindscapes style, allowing the composition, surroundings and artistic details to evolve as part of the finished piece, while keeping the people, relationships and meaningful elements of your photograph recognisable.

The portrait of Luna shown here is one example — created from a much-loved photograph, but reimagined as a new artwork rather than simply copied from the original.

Old photographs are very welcome too.

This piece began with a photograph of Luna — and became something made to keep.

From Idea To Artwork

Once your order is placed, I’ll begin creating your artwork.

Please allow up to 5 working days for your artwork to be created and your digital mock-up to be sent to you for approval.

The mock-up is included in the price, so you’ll have a chance to make sure the personal details feel just right before your keepsake is printed.

If your piece is likely to require a little more time, I’ll let you know before you place your order.