The idea for this artwork came about as I was trying to create new and evocative poses to paint. The idea for the background came much later and each element was photographed on different occasions (crab, sky, sand, sea foam). This is generally the process for all my artworks. The main subject is usually the first element then it is a matter of creating the world around it. I keep my eye out and camera handy everyday to capture the potential backgrounds of the environment around me. Or i'll find photographs I've taken in the past that will work with the subject. I do everything by gut instinct, inspired by anything that I find interesting at the time. I am lucky to live surrounded by water so the sky, sea and sea creatures are always interesting and ever changing.