Shades Of Grey

Faversham watercolour artist Paul Fowler is inspired by the natural environment and landscape

- Diana Crampton

I’ve caught Paul Fowler in the process of moving, but this doesn’t impinge on his art, as he has a studio in the great Creek Creative, Faversham, 10 foot square and full of “stuff”.

There are picture rails for work in progress and he admits it’s all a bit chaotic: “I am not fastidious.” There is some natural light from a window and a useful sink. Paul has been here for three years, having moved from Boughton under Blean.

He loves going into London but has found North Kent ideal for his purposes. Originally from the North East, Paul’s first art course was a Foundation course in Cleveland, before coming down to Kent to study at what was then Kent Institute of Art and Design, in Canterbury (now University for the Creative Arts).

Early on he had a succession of jobs, but he now teaches art, paints and exhibits. Of formal art training, Paul considers it important, although not always a generator of success. “It is a good place to learn fundamental skills, such as print making and sculpture,” he comments, but notes that art schools are always at risk.