Bio
The first moment I realized I needed to create the art I do?
Identity... I’ve always been able to draw. This is what made me stand out in school, it made me feel special for being recognised for excellence in a field of work that I was confident to move forward in. I felt it gave me a free pass through the education system. “There’s the artist”. It made me feel like I had a reason to be there as I didn’t see the value in the other subjects in how they could help me, or in turn, how I could contribute to them in the future.
So why pencil… I love simplicity and space. You can take a pencil and pad anywhere and this ease suited my lifestyle. Not only can you see this in the choice of medium I use but you can also see it in my work. Usually my wildlife images have lots of space in their composition with the subjects being set to one side. The contrast, detail and how you can create such realisim with pencils has captured my imagination from the get-go. I hope I can bring a little of that inspiration to you and your homes!
I FAILED Art College
That's right. but not only did I fail, I got a U… I had always gotten through school with being able to ace every art exam. Like I mentioned in the last post, it was what made me stand out… My whole life plan was set out and it was revolved around me passing so I could attend University.
To be completely honest as I moved up though the education system, I realised my talent for art was not so special after all. Other people could draw just as well as me at the time, if not better. EGO blow… and when it came to results day, my stomach was turning but I knew I was only winding myself up. At the time I was just hoping for it to not be a B as I’d always received A’s… WOW. seeing that U was sickening!! I went into complete panic mode and really didn’t know what to do. Art was my thing and I failed. I’d never had anything stand in the way of my passion like this before, like being told NO for the first time in my life…
I didn’t have enough points to go to University and my whole life plan came to a halt.
It was also around the same time I met my wife Helen. Her birthday was coming up and I had no money. A part of me wanted to show off my drawing talent and do something really personalised for her. So, I looked through my dad’s office for pencils and got to work on drawing a portrait of her horse… her response to the gift really surprised me as she got quite emotional and I’d never had that reaction from my work before…
A couple of days had pasted… Next thing I know, Helen had set this very Facebook page up and got me my first paid commission of a pet portrait. To think someone would want my artwork in their home, let alone pay me for it. blew me away.
Another couple of weeks went by and we were travelling in the car together. “YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO THIS” she said. In went a CD by Jim Rohn. The next 30 mins there was complete silence. I had a grin from ear to ear and my eyes were welling up. As we arrived at our destination I had to stay in the car until it had finished... I listened to the CD 3 times that day. (link below) a complete mental shift happened. I didn’t need grades, I just needed pencils, paper and some time. That’s it…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkaW781FUCo&t=1690s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UygnXqoKrC4
Failing college was not going to be the sad story I thought it would be but the story that I would tell people one day to inspire. Because it was the BEST THING THAT COULD OF HAPPEND… The idea of being told no, only made me want it more. But not only that, for the first time in my life I had to work at it!! The easy A’s were over, no more tests or exams. I was not going to be confined by 4 walls, a desk and learning about artists that pleased the education system rather than my soul. and my decision was made. I was going out to start my art career…
My “university” days were spent watching artists on Facebook and making notes, drawing every day in my mum’s conservatory listening to more lectures by Jim Rohn and Earl Nightingale’s “the strangest secret”. (Link above) I knew that If I wanted to get from A to B in this little venture, I needed someone who had already arrived to tell me how they did it.
I started out by attending exhibitions and meeting the artist themselves. I had first-hand experience and knowledge from people who were living my dream… and they were more than happy to share their ideas and techniques with me. I finally found my new teachers!!.
Today I’m still trying new techniques and working hard to improve. Meeting fantastic people along the way, who support me on this business venture. You can buy my work on this website, etsy or emails, and I also exhibit my work at various exhibition throughout the year.
If you’d like to commission me, please contact me via email - j[email protected]. You can learn more about how to start a commission on the Commission Me section on this website. |