Adam De Ville.. An Introduction

This week we have welcomed a new artist to the Gallery….. Adam De Ville

Here is a short introduction to Adam and his work and a little insight into his work and life.

Artist’s statement:

“My focus is character and place, working in response to how the subject moves me. I find that painting is the best way to describe how I’m seeing and responding to the things around me. I always know what I want to paint but I let the heart form the picture

I have exhibited nationally and internationally, most recently with Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (award winner) Royal Cambrian Academy of Art (award winner) Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours (award winner) and Wales Contemporary (award winner).”

Artist Interview:

· Where do you get most of your inspiration?

The places I visit, people I meet, anything around me at any given time.

· Do you prefer to work outside/in your studio/a mixture of both?

I work from my studio from photographs. I plan to try plein air and we’ll see how that goes

· Do you have a favourite painting/sculpture that you have done? If so which one?

Favourites change, and for me it’s the best example of my current work style, so ‘Leaving Lapin Agile’ because it symbolises the start of my current style (see below)

· Where/ or what is your favourite place/subject to paint?

Wales, Paris, Canterbury. I don’t have a favourite subject. I like cityscapes, landscape, figurative and abstract

· How do you find titles for your paintings, does the idea come before or after?

I title the work afterwards. Titles for me extend or suggest a narrative direction. They can mean something different to each viewer, and for me it’s often connected to my mood or the discovery of how I’m seeing the subject revealed at the end

· Who’s your favourite artist/artists?

Post Impressionist Maurice Utrillo, for his fragile and honest technique, Bruegel, Leon kossoff, Frank Auerbach

· Which is the favourite piece of art by another Artist that you own?

I don’t own much art and there are better works from the artists whose work I do have that I would consider my favourites

· Do you listen to music while you paint? If so what kind of music?

I grew up on alternative, grunge, industrial, indie. I still listen to those genres, and contemporary classical ‘Gavin Bryars, John Adams, Glass, etc’ as well as Scott Walker, Aphex Twin. I always paint to music

· What could you not do without in your studio?

Aside from the obvious painting materials ha ha, music

· What does your studio space look like? ( see below)

· How do you feel your work has changed over the years?

I started with an ink pen, through doodles eight years ago, and worked through watercolour to oil. My work is constantly moving, the only way I can work – constant development

· Is there a particular time/place or movement you feel influenced you the most?

I was ill one winter, took up a sketch book and painted only in blue and black ink. When the book was finished I knew I wanted to paint

· What other work have you done apart from being an Artist?

Professional Actor (recently retired) TV/Film/Theatre/Voice over, RHS qualified gardener, Senior campaign manager charity fundraising

· What is the best thing about being an artist for you?

I’ve finally found a way of communicating how I see and feel

· Did you always know you wanted to be an artist?

No. But everything has lead to me being an artist. I couldn’t have guessed really

· What sort of painting are you working on at the moment?

Oil painting of Brighton Pier

· Can you show us some images from your sketchbook?

Recent sketches and a finished piece maybe? Aside from the blue sketch book (Not for viewing) I don’t use a sketch book