Two portraits of Lorraine, both from Agde, Southern France. The frames are both oil gilded, with applied decoration. They are interpretations of classical motifs, rather than strict reproductions. The paint effect was inspired by Impressionist decape frames, where the original gilding is mainly obscured either by removal, or in this case, by a distressed paint glaze. The paintings also feature extensive glazing to try to capture the translucency of the spring sunlight in France.

Picture frames have not historically been given the attention they deserve. As an artist-maker, I try to integrate the two together, developing a vocabulary of traditional techniques such as water gilding, carving and modelling, sympathetic to the subjects I paint.