Red Sky in the Morning...

This is a small painting (14" x 18" on linen canvas) of John Sheppard, the notorious eighteenth century criminal. He sits awaiting his execution - but is still obviously thinking of an escape route. It is based on a 1728 mezzotint engraving by George White, which itself was based on a portrait by Sir James Thornhill (no longer extant). Louise, a good friend of mine at the English school, and an avid "Jack" Sheppard fan, commissioned me to paint it.

Sheppard is one of many colourful characters from London's rich history. He was a thief famous as much for his prison-breaks as for his crimes, and managed to escape from the authorities four times: twice by climbing down from the window of his cell with a rope made of bed-clothes, once by cross-dressing, and finally by picking his handcuffs with a broken ring from his leg chains. After his fifth arrest he was placed in the centre of Newgate Gaol under constant supervision, and bound with three hundred pounds of iron. A final attempt to escape, on his way to the gallows at Tyburn, was foiled at the last minute when he a knife was found in his pocket.

Jack's exploits were reported in pamphlets and celebrated in song, making him a popular celebrity. Such was his fame that Sir James Thornhill - Court Painter to George I (!) - sketched him in his cell, and 200,000 people attended his final procession to Tyburn on 16th November 1724.

This is the drawing attributed to Sir James - now in the National Portrait Gallery, London - but the painting made subsequently has not survived. Below is the mezzotint engraving by George White , made four years later, on which my version is based.

My version is an almost exact replica of the engraving, though I did not faithfully copy the face, which to me barely seems human. Working from a black and white image, and wanting to make it feel as authentic as possible, I referred to works by the great William Hogarth for colour. Hogarth was an obvious point of reference since he was not only a pupil of Sir James Thornhill's - the original artist - but also his son-in-law.

Ninos Mirando Una Matanza

Ninos Mirando Una Matanza (Boys Watching a Slaughter) is painted in oils on linen canvas, measures 80cm x 95cm, and shows two Colombian children watching the slaughter of a pig in their back yard.

- Click on image to enlarge -

When I was visiting my best friend's grandparents in the small town of Chiquinquirá, I was unexpectedly asked if I wanted to watch the pig, which they had reared since it was a piglet, being put to the knife. It was an experience that I felt was important to have. It is all too easy to disassociate the meat we buy at the supermarket from the animal it comes from, and so I felt it necessary to witness the process firsthand.

The kill was not easy. The blow to the head with the back of the axe, intended to stun the animal, missed its mark. Three strong men promptly threw it to the ground and held it fast as the knife was plunged deeply into the throat. The squealing didn't stop for at least five minutes afterwards.

The blood pouring from the hole was collected in a green plastic bowl, while chunks of onion were cut in the hand, and thrown into it while it was still warm. When the last signs of life had passed, the carcass was lifted onto a table and shaved with sharp knives and hot water. It was at this point that I began to feel a little queasy, and retreated to the front room.

I was grateful to have had the opportunity, and honoured to have been asked by my friend's family. It was a very interesting night, but what impressed me most was not the killing, but the reactions of the boys, who were in no way discouraged from watching. In contrast to the obvious discomfort of the young woman in the background, with her arms crossed and her body leaning away, the young boy next to her leans forward, though still with some trepidation. Then there is the boy closest to us with an air of nonchalance and bravado. It intrigued me to see the way these friendly, normal kids behaved before death, and this painting brings be back full circle to the first picture I made of Ecuador - El Mercado - with the toddler standing by the cow heads.

This is the last picture I will make of my travels in South America, until I am able to go back. My return is inevitable. Latin America is still my muse, and its grip on my imagination remains firm. Until that happens, I will be working on an exciting new latin-based project with my partner, Nico.

Asking Price: £1,000