By Csaba Tibor Palotas | Sep 26, 2021 | Featured Local Artist Milton Keynes
Say something about yourself: I have had a varied life, and have been lucky to have travelled so much of the world, my home is always the UK but my heart is also very much in Nepal where I have spent time every year for over 25 years working with girls who have been…
Say something about yourself:
I have had a varied life, and have been lucky to have travelled so much of the world, my home is always the UK but my heart is also very much in Nepal where I have spent time every year for over 25 years working with girls who have been victims of human trafficking and other forms of abuse. I lived in China for a year and a half and also had a base in Hong Kong. Favourite places like the Lebanon are no longer really practical! My skills in life drawing are very rudimentary, I consider my self a landscape artist though to many my work looks abstract. I work in a fairly methodical manner, making numerous quick sketches in situ, using mainly compressed charcoal sticks, water and sometimes a little colour, then I use the more pleasing aspects, shapes, movement etc. to inform painting back in the studio. I also do colour sketches on paper in situ and some of these I will work up into finished works.
What motivates you to create artwork?
In a recent conversation with another artist I arrogantly expressed the view that art without expression/feeling/emotion is not really art, merely decorative. My friend then asked was I able to explain the emotion I was trying to impart in my work. The answer was no. She laughed and said that’s why we paint because it is the best way we can express what we feel.
What is the medium you like the most?
I love to paint in oils but it doesn’t suit the way I work, I paint multiple layers, scratch and scape and work back into the work, I also like to work quickly, letting the painting dictate rather than working to a plan. Another artist friend of mine says “if I knew what the finished painting was going to look like I wouldn’t bother to do it”, a feeling I share. So, to answer the question as best I can I use acrylics along with things that are laying on my bench, pencils, crayons, ink, even bits of paper at times. As mentioned some of my work is on paper, working on colour studies done in the field. I like to work best from ideas taken from my sketches, these are done on gesso’ed wood panels.
What is your favorite subject, what is your art about?
What I am really doing is trying to create a “feeling” a sense of place, I am also aware that my own emotions come into play. I love the sea shore, cliffs, erosion and the way nature plays with the landscape. I also love painting in the mountains, though usually my work is close up rather than sweeping landscapes, sea walls, cliff faces, ancient trees.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Walking is a major past time, long distance walks or trekking in the mountains, so much of my inspiration is just what I see on a day to day basis. The North Yorkshire Coast and the Pembrokeshire coast and great favourites. Lockdown has been an eye opener, I live in Olney and have been walking the river Ouse over and over, without it ever losing its charm. It has been a great source of ideas for many of my recent paintings, especially one little bend in the river which I keep very much to myself!
Who are the artists who inspire you the most?
This is always a difficult question and one that probably gets a different answer every time! Chagall and Rothko are always in there. Graham Sutherland was my earliest inspiration, over the past thirty odd years John Blockley has been both inspiration and teacher. Joan Eardley and John Bellany are artists I return to, as is VanGogh. For honesty then Frida Kahlo has to join the party as do many of the 20th century American Abstract Expressionists, quite a gathering!
What is your plan for your art? Are you selling them? Would you like to get commissions?
Selling is always a problem and I am lucky to sell several works every year these days. I am just waiting for that big London gallery to recognise my genius and tour a one man exhibition around the major cities of the world!
Where can we see your artworks?
Sadly the gallery I used to exhibit in has closed down, and the exhibitions I usually show at aren’t happing. 2022 is looking as if things may start up again and a local one man show is under discussion along with a couple of exhibitions and a shortlisting for a major national exhibition (fingers crossed!). At the moment people are welcome to my studio, though it’s not large. You can also see my work on https://artistsandillustrators.co.uk/peter-bashford and some bits and pieces on https://www.instagram.com/peterbashford6/
Let’s say someone was inspired by your work, would you offer some help? If yes, how?
I am always happy to give advise for what it is worth and to explain my techniques, tools etc. I can be contacted initially at peter_bashford@hotmail.com . I have also been asked to run classes locally and that may be up and running over the next few weeks.
How is your studio? Is your studio a private space or social meeting place?
My studio as a converted garage with a big window and a small separate storage area, and the hallway to the house always has some of my work. Like most artists (though not as bad as Francis Bacon’s) my studio is very messy, with the main area covered with paints, bottles, jars, brushes, knives, pencils, pens, inks, paper and torn up bits of paintings but visitors are welcome and I make a goodly cup of tea, other beverages may be available!
Is there an art community you belong to?
Yes, I belong to a very good online group and a local group that started in Emberton several years ago and has members as far away as London and the East Coast of Scotland these days, we meet every week, with more distant members joining on zoom for part of the time, we are ruthlessly cruel to each other and probably spend as much time laughing as we do painting, though we do have serious art and artist based conversations as well. It’s not for the feint hearted!
I have also recently been made very welcome by the Life Group who meet at Woolston, I find it a challenge at the moment it is a different way of working, hopefully as I get into it more and my ability and confidence grows I can start to integrate my existing “skills”.
How do you show your artwork?
As above really, most years a mix of exhibitions, studio and on line. I would like to be picked up by a gallery again but sadly MK is not really the art capital it could and should be.
Do you socialise with artist?
Yes, but probably not as much as I would like, I am fortunate with the groups and artist friends I have locally. I used to be an occasional member of a commune in MK but those days are long gone and replaced by a more (and probably better) organised establishment. Many of my artist friends are scattered around the world these days and getting around the way I used to is no longer possible for a while, many are in red listed countries!