When I paint realism, I often work with a grid. It’s a practical tool - something that lives beneath the surface, helping proportions fall into place before being painted over and forgotten. The grid is never meant to be seen. it’s simply a means to an end.
With this painting, I wondered what might happen if that structure wasn’t erased. What if the grid was the painting? Not as something rigid or mathematical, but as a quiet framework - open to interpretation, softened by time, and shaped by instinct.
‘Checkered Past’ developed slowly, layer by layer. Warm ochres, rusts, and ambers were built up and then disrupted by cooler blues and pale turquoise, allowing the grid to breathe rather than dominate. Lines were dragged, broken, and partially obscured. Some areas were reinforced; others were allowed to fade. The result isn’t precision - it’s balance. A structure that holds emotion rather than containing it.
Light plays across the surface unevenly, catching on textured passages and slipping into softer transitions. The painting carries evidence of revision and reconsideration - marks left behind not as mistakes, but as memory.
On the wall, this piece brings a sense of calm structure without stiffness. It grounds a room while remaining quietly expressive. From a distance, the grid offers reassurance and order; up close, the surface reveals nuance, warmth, and subtle tension.
Collectors often connect with works like this because they mirror something familiar—how we build frameworks for ourselves, then live within them imperfectly. Over time, the painting becomes less about the grid and more about how it makes the space feel: steady, reflective, and quietly human.
“Layers of memory, mapped in colour and line”.
Dimensions: 100 × 75 cm. (40 x 30 in.)
⭐ Free Shipping (to Mainland UK)
⭐ Delivery 7-10 working days from order date
⭐ No need for frame - design carries on around the side of the artwork
⭐ Ready to hang - all ironwork included (if ‘Stretcher’ option chosen)
⭐ Certification of Authenticity included
⭐ 30-Day no quibble, money back guarantee
See it on your wall!… not sure if a painting is the right fit?
I’ll create a custom render of the artwork in your own space so you can see the scale, colours, and atmosphere before you decide. 👉 Click here for more details
All other destinations please email me for quote.
Your purchase options…
Rolled in a tube: Your artwork will be carefully rolled, wrapped with the appropriate protective material, in a cylindrical tube, off the stretchers. This option is often preferred as the buyer can then choose their own frame to suit their home décor.
On Stretcher Bars: Your artwork will be despatched on stretcher bars in a secure double-walled cardboard box with all ironwork included, ready to hang on the wall.
When I paint realism, I often work with a grid. It’s a practical tool - something that lives beneath the surface, helping proportions fall into place before being painted over and forgotten. The grid is never meant to be seen. it’s simply a means to an end.
With this painting, I wondered what might happen if that structure wasn’t erased. What if the grid was the painting? Not as something rigid or mathematical, but as a quiet framework - open to interpretation, softened by time, and shaped by instinct.
‘Checkered Past’ developed slowly, layer by layer. Warm ochres, rusts, and ambers were built up and then disrupted by cooler blues and pale turquoise, allowing the grid to breathe rather than dominate. Lines were dragged, broken, and partially obscured. Some areas were reinforced; others were allowed to fade. The result isn’t precision - it’s balance. A structure that holds emotion rather than containing it.
Light plays across the surface unevenly, catching on textured passages and slipping into softer transitions. The painting carries evidence of revision and reconsideration - marks left behind not as mistakes, but as memory.
On the wall, this piece brings a sense of calm structure without stiffness. It grounds a room while remaining quietly expressive. From a distance, the grid offers reassurance and order; up close, the surface reveals nuance, warmth, and subtle tension.
Collectors often connect with works like this because they mirror something familiar—how we build frameworks for ourselves, then live within them imperfectly. Over time, the painting becomes less about the grid and more about how it makes the space feel: steady, reflective, and quietly human.
“Layers of memory, mapped in colour and line”.
Dimensions: 100 × 75 cm. (40 x 30 in.)
⭐ Free Shipping (to Mainland UK)
⭐ Delivery 7-10 working days from order date
⭐ No need for frame - design carries on around the side of the artwork
⭐ Ready to hang - all ironwork included (if ‘Stretcher’ option chosen)
⭐ Certification of Authenticity included
⭐ 30-Day no quibble, money back guarantee
See it on your wall!… not sure if a painting is the right fit?
I’ll create a custom render of the artwork in your own space so you can see the scale, colours, and atmosphere before you decide. 👉 Click here for more details
All other destinations please email me for quote.
Your purchase options…
Rolled in a tube: Your artwork will be carefully rolled, wrapped with the appropriate protective material, in a cylindrical tube, off the stretchers. This option is often preferred as the buyer can then choose their own frame to suit their home décor.
On Stretcher Bars: Your artwork will be despatched on stretcher bars in a secure double-walled cardboard box with all ironwork included, ready to hang on the wall.
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