Open Water

Both Open Water and Spotlight started after a thin inking of the plate revealed an incredibly watery woodgrain. The grain conjured the image. I love it when accidents like these happen in the print studio and the material dictates what goes on within the picture plane to a large extent. I think on looking at these images now they are very influenced by my childhood passion for Tintin with Hergés incredibly economical illustrations. What are this couple doing in a tiny skiff out on the open water? In Spotlight it's as if they are being watched through a telescope, as if their escape is metaphorically connected to an extremely elastic bungee cord which will always keep them within sight. – TH