About Me
So about me. I am 26 years old and I live in Cambridge in the UK. I’ve always been into painting, drawing and making things and friends of mine over the years have been subjected to a range of homemade gifts from lewd poetry to knitted willy warmers. I particularly love customising my clothes and making my own jewellery at the moment (when I don’t make it myself, I buy it from someone who does – www.hairygrowler.co.uk – I trade with this guy at my local market and just love his quirky – and recycled - metalwork).
I make things because they bring more joy than things that are mass produced.
ABOUT MY PORTRAITS
As you’ll see, most of the work in the gallery is portraiture. I enjoy portraiture the most because of the technical challenge of capturing an accurate likeness of someone. I like exploring the very subtle differences in each feature and capturing those well. I believe wholeheartedly that all artists should have a good technical ability to draw and paint before they explore more experimental or abstract work and drawing people (from life or photos) is both good practise and a test of one’s ability.
Aside from improving my technical skill, I enjoy portraiture because I enjoy people’s reaction to receiving a painting of a loved one. I’m often commissioned to do children, pets and couples – and in giving a painting, I’m giving something that will last a lifetime or more. I think paintings are a really special present to give and I love being able to help people give good presents.
I like to experiment with different styles of painting, so you’ll see there are some ‘pop art’ inspired cartoon-like portraits and some more realistic ones. It is important to me to continue to flex and learn new techniques in painting, so I sometimes do reproductions or studies of other artists’ work in order to practise a new style.
One day I hope to be a member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters: http://www.therp.co.uk/
For information about commissioning a portrait, please visit the ‘Commissions’ page.
OTHER ART WORK
I also provide a number of other arty services. I’ve designed posters, e-book covers, tattoos and I’m hopefully going to be working on a mural too.
I do live portrait drawings at corporate or celebratory events, including the Cambridge May Balls - please get in touch via the ‘Contact Me’ page if you are interested.
CAMBRIDGE MARKET – SUNDAY 27th MAY
Little old me, sat at my market stall, in Cambridge city centre
You’ll be able to find me at the Market Square in Cambridge city centre once a fortnight. Visitors can come, take a seat and get their portrait done in 15 minutes or so. I also take along some paintings, drawings and other creative goodies to sell.
Also, all customers who get a portrait done at my market stall will receive a 10% discount on framing service at the Makers’ Gallery, Hope Street Yard, run by my good friend Neil Christie (he’s the chap in the drawing above). See www.makersgallery.co.uk for more information.
PAINTING CLASSES
This summer I will be teaching evening classes for beginners. The classes will be held every Monday, starting on the 6th August and will run from 7.00-9.00pm at Cambridge Art Salon (see www.cambridgeartsalon.org.uk). This 8-week course will cover comprehensive instruction in painting with acrylics, from the basics of blending and brush control to creating a fully realised artwork. For more information, please visit the ‘Classes’ page.
VISIT MY BLOG
I regularly write a blog about my ambitions to be a full time artist. At the moment, I have a day job, but my aim is to earn my living creatively. My blog documents my journey.
http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/1746045
P.S. It contains naughty words.