"The 'conversation piece' was a favourite art form of the eighteenth century. I'm particularly fond of it. Of course the originals - the Gainsboroughs and the Reynolds - were usually highly formalised and idealised. We don't stand on ceremony so much these days and I've adapted the form to suit the modern, informal family at leisure. I'm particularly fascinated by the potential of these group portraits to depict, not just likenesses but also emotional interconnections."