Virtuous Magic
Self taught or art school?
I am a combination of self taught and art school. I started painting and drawing at age 3, as soon as I could wield my mothers overlarge paintbrush. You can see one of my first paintings on Facebook. I ignored my education for the most part, and at the last minute cobbled together some work for the GCSE. After that I did an A level in ceramics and art, ready for art college in Farnham, but I didnt attend, for various reasons, life took a different turn. Only later did I do an art diploma and hopped to a Masters in Art (because I had an alternative degree) again at Farnham UCA. I did not complete the Masters, because I become disillusioned by the agendas of the University. It seemed they had very fixed ideas what art was, and having landed on painting as my medium at that time, was told that painting was dead! In no uncertain terms. To be honest, it seems that a lot of universities and colleges have ditched real art and teaching, and it has become about theory and supporting information, to justify whatever minimal element you have created. So, really I have taught myself, within that system and found my own way. I actually prefer this, as I have never tried to be like anyone, or find anyone I am like, which is what we are now encouraged to do in art education.
Ascension
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
Easy. Any one of Brian Rutenberg’s not too large pieces, because I need a palace for half of his work to do it justice. His work with colour is beyond beautiful and his comprehension of colour. I like his theory, his speaking on art, he would complain about the colleges here, as I mentioned. He is not old school, or new school, he believes in being himself, yet he is brilliant and a true master. His work is a penetrating exploration of the natural world in paint and oil, my favourite medium.
Dance of The Moth
How would you describe your style?
I struggle to find a title or description, but here goes. It is surreal, realism. If there is such a thing, if not I just invented it! My process uses my own models and photo shoots, and it is a very involved process. So my ideas sometimes come first, other times the ideas come from drawing, photographing, working in photoshop and more. Because I use a lot of ‘real life’ images, and they are contorted and changed, but you can still recognise form, I consider it realism based. Athough the themes are mostly surreal.
Witches Dagger
Where are your favourite places to view art?
All over Paris, but I want to add some other Major cities to the list, like New York, and Berlin to start. I know you wanted a particular place, but the ambience of where I am visiting and the environment makes art come alive for me. Its immersive, history, colour, archaeology, and associations. But alternative to that, I love visiting The Tate and Tate Britain, as I like some modern art and historical art both.
We will All Return II
Who are your favourite artists and why?
I have already mentioned Rutenberg, but someone I have always admired and loved is Rothko. Although he is very famous and it seems an obvious answer, his work is exemplary to me. He managed to achieve, with the simplest design, a capturing of the most elusive emotion and experience. He wanted to master this, and felt like a failure, and I understand that struggle. Rothko did master it, but died thinking he was useless. There is a poignancy in his work, and although I can sometimes feel his depression, I can experience the beauty he turned that struggle into.
Elementals – Samuel
What or who inspires your art?
In all honesty, no one artist, I have loved and admired the technical drawing ability of the old Masters, and would always strive to have that level of greatness in my drawing technique, although it is poor in comparison. I admire the technique of traditional painting, because process and work, in actual form, is important to me as a way of working through. One day I would love to work for three months at a real atelier, being driven to produce with relentless accuracy. For me, to work hard and be good at technique, gives you license to then do whatever you want, and I don’t feel I have earned that right as an artist, at this time in my life. My main inspiration is the human form and colour, I have an obsession with colour that drives me to distraction, and most of my ideas come from somewhere deep inside me, as a result of intense past experience.
Katabasis
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
I have had a few in the last two years, since we moved back from Spain. But in Spain my space was huge, with a panoramic view of a valley and mountain behind and a balcony. I am not sure I can ever beat that. Currently, I am using temporary spaces, such as a conservatory, a large kitchen and a garage! The plan is to create a garage conversion, which will be big enough for me. If you are asking about what it is like in terms of literally, it is always tidy! Usually work is stacked against a wall that is complete, and the work space is immaculate. I even squeeze my oil paint neatly. I need to be able to find where everything is, as searching for stuff is an anathema to me.
Kundalini
Do you have any studio rituals?
Yes. I always take a hot drink, sit and have a think whilst looking at something I am working on. I always have music, sometimes blaring, but whatever suits my mood and the vibe of the work. Often when I go over a painting, I can hear the song I was listening to at the time, which is weird and I am not sure if that qualifies as some weird brain ability. I do not like interruptions, because I become absorbed and a distraction takes a while for me to recover from. I always have my dog with me, this is the studio dog and an essential part, it means when I talk at length out loud to myself, its at the dog.
Light Gives Birth – Endless Vibration
What are you working on currently?
I am working on a number of projects. I am starting to design some 3D heads and planning method and medium for them. They are realistic, but imagined and they are only at the drawing stage. I am currently painting a large canvas in oil as a commission, 200 x 120 cm, that is not my usual style, but all about colour. I always take breaks to reflect and go back to my photographs, and have created a number of ideas in the last week, while working on an actual painting.
Prayer To Mother
What are your ambitions?
Currently, I have plans to widen my audience online, as most of my sales are through the internet. Obviously, I would like to have further exhibitions, to meet others, display work, but also to get a feel for what is going on out there and not be so isolated. I would also like to do some further study, and likely will go back to a ceramics group. Ultimately, it would be amazing to be managed and represented and have an exhibition in another country. It would be amazing, to sell and have work in the USA to exhibit. My sales are international, but it would be great to go even further.