Daniel Tidbury lives and works on the sunny south coast of the UK in the small sailing village of Emsworth nestled between the historic cities of Portsmouth and Chichester. Tidbury’s creative talents have no bound, as a professional artist, graphic designer and photographer he is ever developing new ways to express himself. His abstract artworks come to life in various media often featuring landscapes, seascapes and skies. Tidbury set out as a painter in 2016 and has gained a generous following, his works bursting with colour and expression.
Self -Taught or Art School?
In 2004 I graduated from Portsmouth University with a degree in Communication Design. The course nurtured the individual disciplines of those enrolled but not before providing a whistle-stop tour of all possible creative directions. Projects included screen-printing, photography, typography, illustration, web design, mark-making, and many others. My Advanced GNVQ prior had already provided insight into much of this so I knew the direction I wanted to go in. Since graduating I’ve been working and freelancing as a graphic designer and photographer. Creative expression has been a continuous journey from childhood, this in essence has been my training, and it continues still. I began producing and selling my art professionally in 2006. So it’s been a mix of many years within the creative arts professionally and having an understanding of how to explore and experiment that has provided the foundation to create work and sell it successfully.
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
I would rather be without or have something one of my children had created than have to choose one artwork from the entire history of the arts. It’s vast and never-ending and with a deep interest in art, design and photography, including all of those make it even harder to choose.
How would you describe your style?
I’m on a meandering creative pilgrimage, my work is ever-evolving and developing taking inspiration from everywhere, so it’s not as straight forward as simply describing a specific style. One theme that does run through much of my work to date, however, is a strong colour and fearlessness. As I continue to make art the unknown is what drives me.
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
With a young family and a busy schedule freelancing as a designer and photographer I find myself jumping from one project to the other. When I do find time to get out into my garden studio and put paint to canvas, time loses all meaning. I escape to a different world, I put the iPod on shuffle and I attempt to let the energy within me find it’s way out. Sometimes I go in with an idea or a seed of inspiration and emerge (it could be minutes or it could be hours) later feeling great, and on other occasions, I struggle to produce anything and find myself tidying up.
Is narrative important with my work?
When reviewing my work an underlying narrative is sometimes evident but this is not predetermined or planned prior to starting. My work is the result of an unprescribed therapy, an expressive release. I try not to inhibit the direction of my work as it happens.
Who are my favourite artists and why?
Technology and the world of Instagram mean that art is emerging from all corners of the world and is accessible from an armchair. It’s so easy to fall into a social media coma with the endless stream of new art in every swipe and it’s within this virtual rabbit hole that I currently find inspiration and influence.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
I live and work on the UK’s south coast. A small sailing village nestled between the historic cities of Chichester and Portsmouth. It’s a bustling hub of creative talent with its own annual arts events attracting hundreds of local participants. A modest log cabin in the sunny corner of my garden is what I refer to as my studio. I long for a cavernous industrial unit where I can spread out and make as much mess as possible but I’ll need to sell a few more paintings before I can afford the monthly rent on that.
Do you have any studio rituals?
The studio is either roasting hot in the summer or freezing cold in the winter, so my only ritual is to either open the doors and get a cold drink while it cools down, or turn on the heater and brew some coffee while it warms up. I prepare my materials to ensure everything is on hand for the spontaneity to unfold and I always work to a good music playlist.
What am I working on currently?
In between commissions, I continue my journey of creative exploration.
Where can we buy your art?
You can see and buy my work at www.danieltidbury.co.uk
