Out on the hill pastels are light, oils heavy. Jonathan likes to take both. He also likes to walk and camp so thinks nothing of humping 15kg of gear on his back. For him the hills and mountains are not for conquering or bagging, they are to be enjoyed, loved, experienced and painted. This takes time, energy, solitude and a determination to be out in extreme situations. Like extreme climbers he is unafraid of extreme painting challenges.
A professional Highlands artist and tutor, he so passionately wants to be involved in what he sees and feels, that it flows into his paintings, whether up a mountain, by the sea or in his own garden. His approach is bold, brave and unhesitating. He seizes those moments with sweeping strokes of pastel or with brushes loaded with undiluted oil paint on small 8×10¼in (20×26cm) boards. He freely admits that the results can look a mess but forshorthand notebooks. He can de-code them back in the studio and bring them alive in vibrant works of art.
