Simon Stooks moved to the South of France in 2009 but frequently visits Cornwall where most of his painting inspiration lies. The majority of the landscapes in this new exhibition were undertaken on visits to St. Ives and around west Cornwall in April of 2010. The series of nude studies were painted at life classes in France.

“Following on from my previous shows, I decided to paint St. Ives and its many rooftops and chimney pots. With sketch book and camera in hand, I walked the streets and lanes looking for the perfect view but soon discovered that there was always a building completely obscuring the scene. What I was looking for could only be found by gaining access to attics and first floor
windows.
“After understandably being refused entry several times by people after knocking on their door, I began to think that my idea was doomed. But then, a chance encounter changed everything. Clive happened to be working at a house I called at, and on listening to my request he downed tools and work stopped for the day.
“Very soon we were in his van driving up and down lanes. He knew St. Ives like the back of his hand and we spent the rest of the day visiting secret views, over chimney pots and rooftops, looking out to the bay away from the tourist’s gaze. Tiny footpaths would open up to incredible views over a rooftop he had once worked on.
“Doors opened; hotel rooms, little attic spaces and private balconies one by one revealed priceless views.
“Of all the people I could have met - Clive was the perfect guide and companion. I am truly indebted to him for his time and knowledge, it was a rare privilege.
“Spending time away from Cornwall each year, by living and working in France, has made me realise and appreciate a sense of nostalgia in my work - that was never there before.
“I have always admired the Work of Alfred Wallis, appreciating it from a technical and crafted point of view. I can now also identify with the emotional content in his work. I can see and feel the essence of memory in his painting. For him it was remembering a life at sea, for me it is Cornwall.... the place..... the sea..... the light..... the sky.
“I have also remembered how ‘to let go’: to play. I no longer feel the need to prove that I can paint and draw. Ironically, by allowing myself to play in my work and be more childlike in my approach, I actually feel that I am painting in a more mature way.
“For the first time I feel free to express my inner self, to be me.
“With each new collection of paintings, I want to go somewhere undiscovered, however, I am realizing that the decisions I eventually arrive at are familiar places.
“I am on my own journey, and I am finding more of my own voice. I’ve now created my own vocabulary and the story which unfolds is more personal. Now my points of reference are not just theoretical, but are also those honed down by experience and self expression. The process of working from past discoveries is starting to give me moments of pure freedom, with each piece of work.
“A sincere thank you to Clive Oxley and all of his friends in St.Ives.”