The Knitting Lady-A New Direction In My Painting Inspired By Chianni

Recently I finished a small oil painting called The Knitting Lady-Chianni, inspired by a simple everyday moment in my Tuscan village. It may look like a quiet scene, but for me it represents something bigger... a shift towards painting real life, human connection and those fleeting moments that often stay with us longest.

The Moment that inspired the painting

While spending time in Chianni, a small hilltop village in Tuscany that has become incredibly important to me, I noticed a lady sitting outside her hardware shop knitting.

A peaceful everyday moment.

Those are often the moments that resonate. What stayed with me was not detail..but the rhythm of her hands, the warmth of the village surroundings and the sense of calm that everyday life there often brings.

Over the last year I have found myself drawn more towards figurative work alongside my landscapes. I still love painting colour rich scenes from Sussex and Tuscany, but increasingly I am interested in the people, gestures and quiet human stories within those places.

The Knitting Lady, Chianni, Italy

I deliberately kept the brushwork loose, Suggestion rather than detail

Atmosphere rather than description, Feeling rather than perfection.

This approach feels more natural to me now and has bought a new enjoyment back into my painting

A Special Reaction From Another Artist

One of the most meaningful moments came when my Father... a professional artist himself with decades of experience saw the painting, he simply said

"That is excellent, you have cracked it."

This meant an awful lot to me. He is always so supportive but he is also very honest in his critiques and never before have I heard these words! To hear that confirmed for me that this new direction isn't just different its authentic.

Balancing landscapes and figurative work

I am not leaving landscapes behind.. far from it!

Instead these figurative pieces are influencing how I see landscapes.

More atmosphere, More human presence, More storytelling

It feels like a natural evolution rather than a change of course.

The original oil painting is currently available, along with signed limited edition framed prints

Standard Open Edition prints.

If you are interested, you can find details in my shop or feel free to get in touch.