Artists & Illustrators February 2024 - Sample Issue

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I M P ROV I N G YO U R A R T W ITH E V E RY I S S U E

Winter landscapes The mood of the season in vibrant colour

Discover exceptional art in stunning locations

Wildlife step-by-step By an award winning artist

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SERI

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IMPROVE YOUR PORTRAIT PAINTING WITH ADEBANJI ALADE

Paint unique subjects in forgiving mediums

Sensational still life In gouache and acrylic

THE BRITISH ART PRIZE 2023 WINNERS INSIDE!

We present...

This m o n t h ’s spotlight on a British Art Club member

GAVIN MUNDY

An artist who captures life’s most intricate moments

G

avin Mundy, A shortlis of The British Art Prize 2023, has carved a niche for himself in the art world with his intricate and compelling paintings. His artistic roots run deep, with a childhood filled with doodles. “I was always drawing, copying from books, scribbling my own ideas; it seemed a part of me naturally,” he recalls. The influence of his grandfather – a craftsman with an artistic inclination – left an unforgettable mark, planting the seeds of creativity in his young mind.

However, Gavin’s artistic journey was not a linear one. “I studied graphic design, but even during my studies, I began tentative paintings and explored different mediums. I realised that paintings inspired me the most,” he confesses.

Gavin’s preferred medium is acrylics, because their quickdrying qualities align with his fast-paced painting style.

His repertoire spans various subjects, from animals and landscapes to fantasy scenes and space art. He emphasises the importance of experimentation. “There has always been a part of me that wants to know how to portray something I can’t – in that moment – do.”

His surroundings and his active involvement in art communities play a pivotal role in his creative process, as he finds inspiration in everyday life, “I’m inspired by and see potential subjects for a painting all the time, just around my house, in the street; wherever I go.”

Light is a recurring theme in Gavin’s work. “Its qualities change and it shapes the shadows,” he explains. His affinity for detailed art has resulted from a life coloured by imperfect eyesight. As a child, short-sightedness confined his world to close-up scrutiny, fostering his love for intricate observation.

Adulthood brought early cataracts, a dark period where detailed vision eluded him. Surgery offered a glimpse of hope, yet his condition remained delicate. A sudden loss of vision in one eye, followed by another surgical intervention, left him with artefacts and dots in his sight.

The chance of recurrence always looms and so, each artwork now embodies a mission: preserving the precious gift of vision. He considers each painting an opportunity to capture the world’s nuances, reminding us of the value of sight. britishartclub.co.uk/profile/gavinmundy ▫

14 ARTISTS & ILLUSTRATORS

Bottletops, acrylic, 46x61cm

H OW I WORK HOW I P A I N T Winter’s Enchantment, oil on panel, 76x76cm

Hillary Scott This month’s cover artist paints with the soul of a realist and the heart of an illustrator. Discover how she skilfully combines the elements of light and imagination, as explored by Ramsha Vistro ▸

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Along the Lane to Hawkedon, ink and acrylic, 38x38cm

T HE B I G I NT E R V I E W

The Golden Hour, Hamsey, ink and acrylic, 38x38cm

Paul Evans

During a career spanning 50 years, PAUL EVANS has painted thousands of stunning landscapes. He tells Sarah Edghill about his prolific work ethic and love of nature ▸ ARTISTS & ILLUSTRATORS 31

F E ATURE

The south front of Chatsworth House and the Emperor Fountain 36 ARTISTS & ILLUSTRATORS

© THE DEVONSHIRE COLLECTIONS, CHATSWORTH. REPRODUCED BY PERMISSION OF CHATSWORTH SETTLEMENT TRUSTEES

© THE DEVONSHIRE COLLECTIONS, CHATSWORTH. REPRODUCED BY PERMISSION OF CHATSWORTH SETTLEMENT TRUSTEES

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Leda and the Swan, pen and brown ink

Art house With history, heritage and heaps of art, the UK’s stately homes have plenty of world class paintings and sculptures to explore. Here are some of the most exciting.

By Martha Alexander ▸

ARTISTS & ILLUSTRATORS 37

62 A R T I S T S & I L L U S T R A T O R S