A sketchbook is a must for me. Once I have captured an object, I study its shape, size and form, orchestrating my thought patterns to give me visual picture, and providing a way of constructing a new composition to work with. I really enjoy the spontaneity of this process: building the picture up using the elements of collage, paint, mark-making and drawing.  It can take me several hours to find the right items to include in the collage; the work often changing several times before I am happy with it.  
My recent work reflects my concertina sketchbooks. I have a collection of paintings which are abstract reflections on gardens, nature, allotments and the waterways and I am continually working in my sketchbook looking for new ideas for further series of paintings and collections.