Welcome
And so...
I began to research and explore more and more. I tried out various media, from oils, watercolours, acrylics, pastels to graphite
The School holidays became a time to try things out. Could I draw and paint to a reasonable standard? I was always striving to produce paintings of what thought were decent representations of things I liked. I had so much to learn about Art , and, lol, still have so much to learn! Perfectionism plagued me and stiffeled my work.
I also seemed to have taken to heart this idea that art always had to look real, almost photographic.
Whilst there is a school of realistic painters, and I admire their patience and skill, I needed to discover that there are many styles of painting. Which style was mine?
How could I paint with more freedom, yet still achieve my own interpretation of the things I wanted to paint? Deep questions but vital to my progress as a fledgling artist.
ART SCHOOL
Unfortunately or fortunately this was not be. I was fully committed to my role as an Early Years Teacher and to be honest when I was fortunate enough to take early retirement so that I could pursue my artistic dreams, the cost of studying via a Fine Arts Degree was not an option.
There had to be other ways to learn and I was determined to find them.
Self study, as I have said, by reading books by well established artists was my first port of call. I read and read , practiced and practiced, and explored many different things:- composition, colour theory, values and tones, shape and form and much more.
Then, when I took early retirement, I joined my local art society in Blackburn and began to learn through watching and working alongside other artists. A big thankyou to all in Blackburn Artists' Society.
I also became a member of my home town, Redcar's, Palace Arts group. Whenever I visited my family I was able to join in and help out in the Gallery, all great experience. Thank you to all at Palace Arts Monday Group and of course the Hickson's!
In 2019 I joined one of local artist's Norman Long's Art School courses to discover more about oil painting. I learned so much over a short period of 10 weeks by attending Norman's Art School course. I cant thank him enough for the advice and experience gained.
And of course now You Tube, show cases so many top quality artists from around the globe, like, Ken Salaz, Richard Musgrave Evans, Andrew Tischler and Hazel Soan, to name but a few.
In short, I was thirsty to gain as much information as I could about all things Art. The way I gleaned this information was perhaps unconventional but it has served its purpose and enables me to produce the work I do today.
so what have i learned so far
There are many routes to becoming an Artist., some are more unconventional than others. All have their merits and their downsides.
The main thing is artists create their work in many different ways to share their view of the world. They may use their art to provoke or pomote an idea; their art may celebrate an occasion or record a more sobering event in human history. It may be abstract in style , impressionisitc or more realistic.
Lol, there are infinite ways of painting, a subject for another occassion.
As for my own style it continues to develop. I tend to paint impressionistically with bright and vibrant colours. I would hope my paintings are cheerful and uplifting.
Most of all I paint for the Lord my God to celebrate the beauty of His Creation.
Thank you for taking the time to read my Artists Bio and my many musings. If you do see me out and about do come and have a chat.
best wishes Gill
PS I am still thirsty to learn! Much to do
and many people to meet. perhaps it will be you.
PPS I will answer more questions another day,
