Bahamas

My first encounter with the Bahamas came in 1990 on the short flight from Miami. As the Florida coastline disappeared behind us and the islands emerged from the Atlantic, I looked down on waters of such extraordinary colour that I could scarcely believe they were real. That first glimpse marked the beginning of a lasting relationship with the Bahamas, a place that has inspired some of my most expressive and evocative oil paintings for more than three decades.

Much of my time has been spent exploring Abaco and the Out Islands, where each cay possesses its own distinctive character. Mangrove creeks, rocky headlands and sheltered coves all offered compelling subjects, but it was the remarkable beaches of Treasure Cay that captured my imagination above all else. There, the brilliant white sand and crystal-clear, shallow water create an astonishing interplay of light and reflection. The ever-changing colours of the sea, from delicate aquamarine to intense turquoise and deep cobalt, produce an atmosphere that is both exhilarating and profoundly peaceful.

Further south, the islands of Eleuthera, Harbour Island and the Exumas each revealed their own unique personalities. Every coastline, every changing tide and every variation in light demanded a different artistic response. Rather than simply recording a place, my aim has always been to convey the emotional experience of standing before these extraordinary landscapes and translating their colour, light and atmosphere into paint.

Over the years, my sketchbooks and photographic studies have grown into an extensive visual record of the Bahamas, providing an enduring source of inspiration. Each return visit offers fresh discoveries, ensuring that these remarkable islands continue to influence my work and inspire new paintings.

This collection of original Bahamas oil paintings reflects more than thirty years of observation, exploration and artistic interpretation. From the tranquil beaches of Treasure Cay to the dramatic coastlines of the Exumas and the quiet beauty of the Out Islands, these paintings celebrate the timeless splendour of one of the world's most captivating seascapes.