by Csaba Tibor Palotas | Sep 6, 2020 | Featured Local Artist Milton Keynes
Say something about yourself I have painted and drawn since childhood actively encouraged by my late father, himself an accomplished watercolourist. I had a break from creativity whilst raising my family and pursuing my career as a professional risk manager but…
Say something about yourself
I have painted and drawn since childhood actively encouraged by my late father, himself an accomplished watercolourist. I had a break from creativity whilst raising my family and pursuing my career as a professional risk manager but returned to it in 2012 whilst convalescing following surgery. I have not looked back since then and have since retired. I now try to spend at least an hour a day in my private studio.
What motivates you to create artwork?
I am a very visual person and delight in observing colour, light and patterns in the world around me. My particular fascination is reflection and water; the challenge of capturing a dynamic subject like a seascape or running water on my canvas is irresistible. I also love mountain subjects and my textured oil paintings in recent years bring me great delight.
What medium do you like most?
I am most happy when painting with oil paints or watercolour, especially with the application of texture mediums. However, at times I like to try my hand at pastel and charcoal. It very much depends on the subject and how it is best depicted.
Where do you get inspired?
I take inspiration from the world around me. When working in the City of London I loved the architectural reflections in the glass fascia of tall buildings. When in France where we frequently visit I love being by the lakeside at Lac Leman (Lake Geneva), or walking in the high alps. The light is very different, it is a great to be immersed there at one with nature and countless painting inspirations.
Which artists inspire you most?
I love the work of the impressionists their handling of light and colour and suggestion. Joaquim Sorolla’s work is incredible. John Blockley and Anne Blockley’s watercolours never tire me and their use of texture creates awesome landscapes. Local artist Roy Holding is a fantastic teacher and very generous with his ideas and experience. His teaching has influenced my recent works. I have also found the workshops of Peter Keegan very inspiring and he is another generous and enthusiastic painter and friend.
Where can you see my artwork?
I exhibit regularly in Milton Keynes with MKSA and in Buckingham with Bafa. The Vitreus Art gallery at Potterspury has a large selection of my paintings and I have spent the last few years of Bucks Art Weeks (formerly Bucks Open Studios) demonstrating painting techniques with them. I will be doing so in June this year for BAW2020. I was fortunate to have work exhibited by the National Trust at Claydon House in « The people’s landscape » exhibition in 2019 and also had works in the M K Open 2019 at Westbury Art Centre. I also exhibit in France.
Do you socialise with artists?
I find great benefit in socialising and working alongside other artists, hopefully the feeling is mutual. I very much enjoyed my time with Art Central and had studio space at both Station House and Norfolk House before they moved to Kiln Farm. I enjoy painting regularly in artist friends’ studios and my own, it is always helpful to have fresh eyes on our work. I try to participate in workshops when relevant, it helps to keep skills alive and develops our artistic practice. I found that despite my seascape/landscape bias attending a life class is very beneficial from time to time as it helps to loosen up techniques and prevents one from becoming too tight in our work.
