The first in the Magic Lagoon series (#2 is sold). This is a place that only becomes visible at a certain time of day on a particular tide each month. Most of the month there is no lagoon. I've given this a slightly ethereal treatment which the place takes on when the sun moves round and there is little wind or dust. Pretty special. 
Magic Lagoon#1 122 x 91.5cm (48”x36”) oil on canvas.

Magic Lagoon #1

The morning light is slightly cooler and, in this piece, I have deliberately not over-blended the colours of the sand as it can sometimes appear much less blended in real life under light at this time in this place. 
Morning Drive 122 x 91.5cm (48”x36”) oil on canvas.

Morning Drive

Put simply, this is one of those extremely hot days when the only thing on one's mind is to get in! 
I aimed to capture that feeling and the lovely depth and colour there. 
I’m Going In! 122 x 76cm (48”x30”) oil on canvas.

I'm going in!

Second in the Magic Lagoon series, the colours are 'cooler' and the time of the tide different as the waters gradually begin to recede. 
Magic Lagoon#2 122 x 76cm (48”x30”) oil on canvas. SOLD.

Magic Lagoon #2 SOLD

The second painting in the Heart Island series. The island is, unsurprisingly, shaped like a heart and lies offshore in the Gulf. The light was unusual this day and the shelving of the island is different (steeper) than many other areas and so I aimed to capture some of that here, albeit the waves were only gently lapping on this occasion. 
Heart Island#2 122 x 76cm (48”x30”) oil on canvas.

Heart Island #2

A day kayaking in the mangroves over the shallow waters towards the channels leading to the Gulf. A wonderful experience with no fear from the herons and other wildlife as you glide gently through them. 
“Wait For Us” 122 x 61cm (48”x24”) oil on canvas.

Wait For Us

Dhafeer Fort, Liwa. 76 x 56cm (30”x22”) oil on canvas.

Dhafeer Fort, Liwa.

One of those moments when out and about in a spot that seems otherworldly with the range and saturation of colours and the appearance and disappearance of land as the tide rises and falls. Magical. 
Peace 76 x 51cm (30”x20”) oil on canvas. SOLD.

Peace. SOLD

Climbing Jebel Jais in the UAE, I was struck by the ability of the Tahr, or mountain goat, to survive in such an unforgivably brutal environment. Not least when trying to navigate this vertical cliff face. 
The Only Way Down 61 x 46cm (24”x18”) oil on canvas. SOLD

The Only Way Down. SOLD.

The Weekend

Something strange happened today. My wadi painting focuses on direct light from the right and reflected light elsewhere on rock, aiming to capture the glow. Today, outside light bounced off a window BEHIND me onto the painting but it still appears to glow from within with the light source coming from the right. The real light source hasn't changed anything, just intensified it. 
They may just be strokes and daubs of paint, but to see what's intended, they need to be the right shape, value and colour and 'daubed' in exactly the right spot. That's the art! This one is sold but DM if this interests you and you'd like something similar.

Wadi Morning, RAK. SOLD.

This is a typical view through the cloisters at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque which adorn three sides of the quadrant. The pillars have beautiful stone inlays of flowers which are laid in similar to wood marquetry. Remarkable. The light bounces off stones and minarets which are also reflected in the light and shadow of the quadrant itself. 
Cloisters, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. 60 x 30cm (23.6” x 11.82”) oil on canvas.

Cloisters, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

A day when someone forgot to throw the anchor out.

"Ah..." (NFS)

These are the fossil dunes. They appear to be hard rock emanating from the sands of the desert but, in fact, they are made of sand that has been compressed by thousands of years of pressure from natural forces. An incredible landscape. 
Heat, Dust and ‘Shrimp’ 40.5 x 30.5cm (16”x12”) oil on canvas. SOLD

Heat Dust and 'Shrimp'.

Low Tide, Barmouth. Sketch (NFS).

Towards Maiori, Amalfi Coast. (NFS)

The Maqta Tower is the oldest building in Abu Dhabi and stood guard in the channel between the mainland and Abu Dhabi's main island (on which the city is now based). The Bedouin used it as a lookout during the periods they were at the coast and not inland amongst the dunes and oases. I've given the piece a more impressionistic treatment. 
Defending Maqta 76 x 67cm (30”x22”) oil on canvas.

Defending Maqta

The mangroves in Abu Dhabi, similar to Florida and elsewhere have this unique ability to grow and thrive in saltwater. A boardwalk has been constructed, weaving its way among them so that people can get up close and experience them better. Fish, birds and crabs inhabit the landscape and the evening is particularly beautiful with cast shadows and reflections. This is more saturated than reality as I wanted to enhance that sense of evening glow and the blue of the sky on the water. 
Evening Mangrove, Jubail Island. 76 x 56cm (30”x22”) oil on canvas.

Evening Mangrove, Jubail Island.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi stands as a new iconic building and example of the drive to spur interest in diverse cultures and art. It's an incredible building designed by Jean Nouvel and I was struck by the juxtaposition of a traditional boat moored next it. The old and the new; conversely 'before oil discovery' and 'after oil discovery'. 
Before and After, Louvre Abu Dhabi. 76 x 76cm (30”x30”) oil on canvas.

Before and After, Louvre Abu Dhabi.

This captures beautiful night time moonlight across the rocky terrain of the mountains with the light dispersed and softened by low cloud. If you have ever camped and sat around a fire under such a moon, it can sometimes feel you are on it and not earth! 
 
Mountain Moon 76 x 51cm (30”x20”) oil on canvas.

Mountain Moon

These are my first impressions of light hitting surfaces, reflecting and refracting in the context of, primarily, the UAE.

First Impressions