My Journey from art to architecture

My journey as an artist and architect has been anything but linear.

It began in art school, where I first discovered the power of visual expression and the thrill of transforming a blank surface into something meaningful. Those early years shaped the way I see the world through texture, colour and composition. But they also sparked a curiosity that eventually led me toward the structured, functional world of architecture.

Art school to architect to artist may sound like a circle, but in truth, it has been more like a helix - tension and compression, each stage building on the last, deepening my understanding of creativity and expanding the tools I use to express it. Architecture taught me discipline, precision and the importance of thoughtful design. Art taught me intuition, expression and the courage to explore the unknown. Moving back and forth between the two has given me a unique creative lens: one foot grounded in practicality, the other stepping forward into uncertain possibilities.

I’ve always believed that architecture without art cannot exist. At its core, architecture is not just about structures - it’s about experiences. A building becomes meaningful only when it engages the senses, evokes emotion or creates atmosphere. Those qualities are inherently artistic. My artwork, therefore, isn’t a departure from architecture; it’s an extension of it. It gives me freedom to explore form, balance and rhythm without the constraints of regulations or materials.

River Medway 4

The Blank Canvas and the Blank Page: Where Both Practices Begin

Both my architectural work and my art often begin the same way: with the blank canvas and the blank sheet of paper. There is something electrifying about that moment before the first mark. In architecture, it hints at endless possibility contained by purpose. In painting, it’s pure potential - chaotic, unpredictable and wonderfully liberating.

The Human Hand vs. the Digital Tool

Each blank beginning is a reminder that creativity is an act of discovery, not certainty. This is why I often smile at the modern reliance on digital tools. Computers lack that sometimes irrational insight that ignites creative forces. Technology is powerful, but it cannot replace instinct or imagination. A computer can generate a perfect line; it cannot generate a soulful one. In both my art and architectural practice, the human hand still guides the process. Imperfection is not a flaw - it's an expression.

Painting as Alchemy: Turning Materials Into Meaning

Over time, I’ve come to see painting as alchemy. You begin with simple ingredients - pigment, water, light and somehow, through movement and intention, they transform into something that didn’t exist before. This transformation feels magical every time. Whether I’m exploring architectural forms through ink or allowing colour to spill and settle freely, I’m always searching for that moment when creation feels like discovery.

The Creative Journey: An Ongoing Exploration

What keeps me returning to the studio day after day is the joy of the unknown and the miracle of the realised. I never fully know what a piece will become when it begins. But there is a profound satisfaction in watching it unfold - shifting, surprising, resolving itself in ways I could never explain. This journey continues, shaped by art, architecture, and the space between them. And with every new work, I’m reminded that creativity is not a destination - it’s an ongoing exploration…. a journey.