At present my life is divided into two geographical areas – Scotland in the summer and Staffordshire for the rest of the year. I love working in my Scottish studio, which is located on the beautiful Isle of Mull. When I’m there, I start each day with a dip in the (excruciatingly cold) sea, or in the pond next to my house. I then prepare for the serious business of the day by putting on some music before picking up where I left off the day before. If I don’t have a work in progress, I may sit for a while and think about all the great places I’ve seen in my life, waiting for an idea to hit me.
Born in Oxford in 1961, Duncan grew up in the Midlands where he still spends a substantial part of the year. Taking his inspiration from the surrounding landscape and of course the sea, Duncan is particularly fascinated by the effects of natural light on colour. His distinctive palette conveys the cool yet vibrant shades of sea and sky as they appear to his artist’s eye. Verging on the abstract, his work is characterised by the dense application of richly textured acrylics, which create a sense of spontaneity and unstoppable energy. Since turning professional, Duncan has enjoyed immense success, displaying his work in both galleries and private collections.
