Mac McDade

Most of my artwork is based memories, good and bad, but always something visual, inextricably bound up with feeling and emotion. I have drawn on various different experiences throughout my life, from childhood, family and music, to the horror and comradeship of war.

The process to unlock memories is not always easy, and can evoke unexpectedly strong feelings, but is a vital part of the process, as it is only by thinking honestly about what these memories and emotions represent, and deeply exploring the feelings they bring to mind, that am I able to conjure up a vision which is an authentic portrayal of what I want to convey through my art.

Once I have the image, and understand the depth of emotion attached to it, I then reflect on how to turn this into a piece of art, considering style as well as colour and texture, before deciding which medium to use. Sometimes this comes quickly, and sometimes it takes a lot longer, but it is always worth taking the time to discover which medium will give me the desired result.

I mainly work in acrylics and water mixable oils or watercolour, but look forward to trying to new mediums and different techniques as part of my continuing artistic journey.