So many of the conversations about Painting that took place during the forming of this collective revealed that the most significant common ground beyond our chosen medium is not style or subject but more to do with experiences and intentions.

We live and paint in three of Manchester’s satellite regions and found we shared an interest in taking our work outside of the urban Painting hub we already know and into our local communities to find out what that might engender. This process has revealed dynamic new (to us) networks of painters and curators and a widespread interest in Painting that has been energising and inspiring and we hope to contribute to this expanding movement.

Having reached this point in our practices via circuitous routes; Emerging Artists whose previous careers include: psychologist, textile practitioner and film art director, we share a sense that this “longer route” to Painting and the resulting accumulation of experiences enriches our practice providing multifarious sources from which to draw insight, inspiration and intention.

We also share the experience of completing our MA in Painting and our on-going participation in the MFA Painting program at Manchester Art School. This crucible continues to challenge through rigorous critical and theoretical exploration of what Painting is and forensic interrogation into what it might mean to make a “good” painting. While our preoccupations vary, we are all reaching for technical excellence and concurrently establishing strong personal perspectives in terms of our individual concerns, while developing methodology that creates enough momentum to sustain on-going development indefinitely.