Toby Messer is an artist living in Barnes, South West London. He draws on many influences when painting, including the unspoilt landscape and dark and untouched areas – real and imaginary – of Richmond Park. On his artist journey, landscape hasn’t always meant pure greenery, Messer has also been stimulated by more urban scenes too.
Pylons, cables and industrially scenic wasteland, painted in more vibrant colours than reality suggests. And in a tilt towards natural inquisitiveness and playfulness, his work, largely in acrylics, has also led to painting gumball machines, Many of which would not be out of place on the streets of New York. Another major love.
There are so many directions to explore and even now Messer is creating many experimental pieces, blending collage, paint and wire mesh for new and challenging work.
Self-taught or art school?
I did go to art school and did a fair bit of life drawing. However, I studied graphic design and advertising, so in a way, I am largely self-taught.
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
Oooh, that’s difficult. There is one painting I keep returning too, which I love and that is Bacchus and Ariadne by Titian.
How would you describe your style?
Graphic – fauve.
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
I do a number of sketches and then paint a black ground. Then I mask areas with tape and paint up to them to achieve a crisp black line. And then to achieve a certain difference, I paint orange, red or purple skies.
Is narrative important within your work?
No, not especially. I like industrial estates and similar. I paint what I see and in a way, I am moved in a fairly random way. There is no thread as such.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
I love Egon Schiele for the stark, confrontational and sheer punkiness of his work. Lucien Freud for the way he goes beyond undressing his nudes, to get to the very core of his subjects. Picasso for his exuberance and endless creativity. The cool detached and graphic style of Patrick Caulfield. The whimsical and epic scale of Stanley Spencer and the sheer bravura and beauty of Titian.
What or who inspires your art?
It’s something of a broad range. I love landscapes be they natural or industrial. I like railways and surrounding ephemera and buildings such as Battersea Power Station, which appear to be in a period of transition.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
I used to have a studio but latterly I enjoy a minimal commute. I paint on my kitchen table and although I fill it with various artistic odds and ends I am scrupulously tidy every day.
Do you have any studio rituals?
I set everything up, paint for a few hours and then I tidy up.
What are you currently working on?
I have a fetish for painting tropical fish, I love the brilliant colours against my beloved black ground.
Where can we buy your art?
A lot of my sales are word of mouth, however, I do have a website and I am always happy to be contacted directly, should anyone be interested. tobymesser-art.co.uk. Alternatively, my email is tobymesser@blueyonder.co.uk. Instagram tobymesser2.
