Graham Pellow is the Chair of Leighton Buzzard Art Society and moved to Leighton Buzzard a few years ago from London. We caught up with him to ask him about his work.
How long have you been making art? How did you get into it?
Ever since I was a child, getting more serious and focused as life allowed. I work in nearly all media, oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolour gouache and mixed media, believing that the subject matter dictates the best media to use. I am predominantly a landscape artist, always looking for scenes with great light. However many other subjects inspire me, including people and animals.
What’s your proudest achievement?
I exhibited in America for four years completing a number of commissions for Americans, and local scenes. My work has ended up in Canada, the USA and Australia, as well as England of course.
Which artists do you admire?
Joseph Zbukvic, one of the world’s greatest watercolour artists, David Curtis, a great realist and plein air oil painter. Tony Allain pastel artist, and Richard Thorn my favourite landscape artist .They, and many more all inspire me.
Can you tell us about your work process?
I have dozens of sketchbooks, the vast majority painted plein air around the world, mostly using watercolour. This is a great discipline in quick observation and composition. Some of these sketches get turned into larger studio paintings because the sketch has inspired me. Some of the best sketches are done very quickly and have a vibrancy about the work. The large studio paintings can take days to complete.
I am lucky to have a studio, albeit much smaller than my previous studio in London. The great advantage of a studio is that you don’t have to pack things up between sessions. The downside is that you may end up painting in your best clothes when you pop into the studio. That’s why many of my good clothes have paint on them. I love painting with music in the background, the choice of music can vary massively from Gregorian Chant to heavy metal and everything in between. But don’t try to paint a soft atmospheric watercolour to Muse!
Do you have a favourite paint colour?
Burnt Sienna, one of the great browns or earth colours.
What are you working on at the moment?
Once I have tidied up my studio, I am planning a large oil landscape full of evening light.
What is your next learning goal? Is there something new you’re trying to master?
I am trying to copy/ emulate watercolour/gouache paintings by Richard Thorne. Very different from my normal pure watercolour style.
Do you have a top tip to share?
If you have a painting that you’re not sure about, turn it to the wall for some time, days or even weeks, then review it with a fresh eye. It will be easier to see what may be wrong, or perhaps find that “it ain’t bad after all” !
If the National Gallery was on fire and you could save just one painting there, which one would it be?
Rembrandt’s self portrait, which I love… and could carry! But I would have to think hard about this choice.
You can see more of Graham’s work at www.grahampellowartist.co.uk
