''the duck syndrome'
i’ve always believed that you can appear calm and collected while secretly battling countless pressures beneath the surface. on the outside, all is well; underneath, your legs are going like the clappers just to stay afloat.
squirrels have a simple instinct: when threatened, they run back to the last place they felt safe. in the wild, this works perfectly. but they haven’t evolved instincts for cars and roads. time and again, they run into traffic, often meeting their deaths — a reminder that instinct doesn’t always account for modern dangers.
duck syndrome is similar. it describes someone who appears composed and successful — gliding smoothly across the surface like a duck — while frantically paddling underneath to keep up with intense pressures and expectations. it’s a state where being busy can feel indistinguishable from being happy, and where disconnection from oneself is easy to overlook
 
answers on a postcard extends and develops ideas from the mad as a box of frogs series. the work addresses the familiar dilemma between producing originals and limited editions — a question that often invites conflicting responses. in this instance, the decision is intentionally rooted in the original.
the series reflects a longstanding interest in language, idiomatic phrases and humour, bringing these elements together through painted text. the selected phrases are chosen for their wit and lightness, inviting a moment of quiet amusement for the viewer.
each piece is hand-painted on canvas, paper or board. the works are completed using a model maker’s magnifying lamp and a fine 5/0 brush, allowing for precision and close attention to detail - oh dear, my poor eyesight!
and i hope they give the viewer a giggle too.