This man discovered that he had much more time for art when he retired … so he took a correspondence course and settled into enjoying his creative passion at his own steady pace.
I knew there was something different about me when my painting of a tree with a red trunk was shown to my class of fellow nine-year-olds. Yes – I was colour blind. Like quite a few men, I was colour deficient in red, green and brown.
I was born in Chesterfield, England, in 1938. I progressed though school and in 1955 passed my GCE Art. It was one of the few subjects that I enjoyed; and that was the only tuition I initially had in art. I left school and became an apprentice draughtsman at Rolls Royce Aero Engines in Chesterfield. The training was very strict and I remember the first few weeks when I spent all day learning to print 0.160 inches high and black (B pencil). The letters and numbers were upright and highly standardised to prevent misreading of the finished drawings. To this day, I still prefer to write in block capitals 0.160 inches high.
In 1970, with my wife Aileen and our two small children, I moved to Johannesburg in South Africa. I remember the incredible sight of the Jacarandas in Pretoria, Table Mountain, Kruger National Park, and Victoria Falls. We were there for five years before returning to England – where I went back to Rolls Royce.
In 1982, we must have still had the travel bug because we all moved to Wellington, New Zealand – where we spent the next 23 years. It was there at the age of 60 that I started my artistic career with a tentative watercolour painting of the council offices where I worked. I remember my embarrassment as I stood in the Civic Square in my lunch break, drawing under the gaze of passers-by. The result was quite good, or so the lady in the framing shop said. Anyway, I was quite encouraged by this and continued to do watercolours in the time remaining after work and golf.
Denne historien er fra Issue 29-utgaven av Artists Drawing and Inspiration.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Issue 29-utgaven av Artists Drawing and Inspiration.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Pelicans To Portraits
This lady has painted everything from pelicans to portraits. She has completed commissions including cats, dogs, horses, possums, numerous beach scenes… and even a Scottish piper.
“I Cannot Imagine Life Without Art”
Throughout her story you can feel the delight and joy that radiates from this artist as she describes her passion for art.
The Noble Equine
Coloured pastel papers have been used to create this beautiful horse.
To Be at One With Nature
“My art is who I truly am, and it has given me a freedom to become ‘just me’,” claims this talented lady.
Making The Picture Sing
Using her fine attention to detail, this artist creates a loving tribute to her subject.
Thanks to Da Vinci
Wicked classroom caricatures and tattoos fired up the passion for this self taught artist to strive to produce the perfect drawing.
My Story
Sharing her passion for art has become a way of life for this determined and talented artist.
Link to Life
This artist adores pastels … a medium which she believes can fall between painting and drawing. Her art is truly her link to life.
Don't Rock the Boat
What comes first … the title or the painting? For this colourful artist, it can be either – and experimenting can lead to accidentally creating individual techniques.
Art for Steven
Some years ago, this man was inspired to make the transition from cartooning to painting. He had always wanted to express himself in this way, and he dedicates every painting to his late brother Steven who inspired him.