Oil on Linen
1020 x 760mm
This is Andre -The Butcher in my local village of St John who i visited in search of some Welsh lamb for my family’s St David’s day celebration.
The sight of Andre emerging from his cooler room carrying this Welsh lamb was quite literally a picture begging to be painted. Subjects work best with people who are comfortable in their skin and whilst there is something of an irony at play between butcher and carcass I think that’s what I tried to bring to the fore.
However I could have painted four of Andre in the time it took me to nail that carcass which, unlike Andre, was a thing of beauty initself. But it was a joyous task teasing out the subtle and unexpected hues that emerged from detailed study.
Overall it comes out as a really strong and spectacular composition.
