Brian’s images have their beginnings in the familiarity of everyday objects and places. Lighting can transform situations and stimulate a memory and mood and Brian works to capture these constantly changing forces.
Art Pistol (AP): What’s the first thing you can remember painting?
Brian: An Elephant, at the age of 4 – I think.
AP: When did you first realise you were an artist?
Brian: That’s a very difficult question to answer as I believe it comes in stages of realisation according to involvement. However the decision to go to art college was made at the age of 23 as I realised teaching Biology was not really what I should be doing.
AP: How would you describe your art to someone that has never seen it before?
Brian: I presently have 3 series of artistic involvement, all executed in oils: 1) Views of the landscape being strongly affected by light. 2) Views of my home town cathedral with an emphasis upon the play of light on architectural features. 3) Treasured toys – the ‘comforters’ that have been company for years – sometimes forgotten, sometimes still in use – with an emphasis on the relationship between the human and that piece of cloth.
AP: Is your work on any famous person’s wall?
Brian: That has not happened as yet.
AP: If you had the opportunity to change something in the art industry what would it be?
Brian: A greater emphasis placed, by the government, upon the great value and contribution by the Visual Arts to this nation’s well-being, by not cutting its support.
AP: Do you have any other interests or talents that you’d like to share?
Brian: Photography and tennis.
AP: Describe yourself in 3 words, one has to be a colour?
Brian: Plucky, purple and peregrine.
AP: Tell us your perfect scenario for painting.
Brian: What stimulates the process of ‘picturing’ tends to be location and weather for me, as they can both change so rapidly and can be so exciting to be part of. I have a small contained studio where my art practice takes place and I tend to have a routine – early morning is usually tidying and preparing and then, after coffee, at about 10.30 I find that I can become very productive for at least 4 hours. Than a break and return to a second session at about 6.30. Music is very important as is not being disturbed during these thinking/doing times.
AP: If you weren’t an artist you’d be..?
Brian: A shepherd.
AP: Do you have any advice for artists just starting out?
Brian: Go to Art College and join Artist’s Newsletter.
AP: And finally, what are you working on just now?
Brian: Actually I’m taking a break from my Treasured Toy series and am trying out some portraits, which I have always wanted to do but have never attempted, and I am starting with something for my brother-in-law’s 50th – 2 small paintings, on wood, placed alongside each other, one as he is now and the other as he was at the age of 4.
