Artist of the week - Adrian!

Please enjoy a Covid-friendly catch up with our amazing artists each week, and enjoy viewing some of their work in our online gallery.

What inspires you?
I am inspired by colour. When I choose a picture off the wall to paint, I’m often most attracted to the colours that have been used. I also enjoy painting things that are more loose than technically accurate or photographic. Impressionists like Van Gogh and Degas, and contemporary artists like Brett Whiteley and Ben Quilty are some of my favourites.
 
How long have you been painting at Art House Studios?
Five years. Wow!
 
My introduction to Art House Studios came from my wonderful wife organising a painting party for my 40th. There was about ten of us there, all couples, and the challenge was to paint a portrait of your partner. It was great fun and we had plenty of laughs. That is when I learnt about social art night, and I’ve been coming ever since.
 
How have you changed as an artist in that time?
My skills have definitely improved with time.
Priya, and sometimes others who come along give good advice or sometimes see things you haven’t noticed when you’ve been too close to or too engrossed in a painting for too long and haven’t stepped back, taken a break and had a look at your work from a different distance or angle. That’s been a key lesson too, sometimes you need to stop, step back and check in from a difference perspective.
 
What’s the secret to improving your painting skills?
I’d suggest three things.

1. Practice is an obvious one, that’s how you build technique but also important to be challenged in what you like to do – that’s one of the great things about social art night. I used to think I was terrible at painting people but got better at it by choosing people as a subject. Now I am less terrible😉
2. Don’t be afraid to listen and discuss with others their work and yours. One of the great things about social art night is seeing how other people do things, discussing your challenges, and even having a laugh sometimes when it’s just not your night for producing a masterpiece.
3. Think about the process. I think of it as constructing a painting. When I look at others people’s work I’m like “how did they do that?” and try to think about the order in which the image is built.

 
Are you staying creative during lockdown?
I’ve done a little sketching but haven’t pulled out the paints.
I tend not to paint much at home so I’m looking forward to when social art night kicks off again.
 
Which 5 artists (alive or dead) would you invite to a dinner party?
So many to choose from, it’s hard leaving people off that dinner list:
 
Margaret Olley – an aussie icon who forged a career as an artist in a time when few women were able to do so
Ben Quilty – I like his style, his social conscience and the stories he tells
Jackson Pollock – he threw some paint around, but didn’t it look great!
Van Gogh – such beautiful works
Frida Kahlo – if you know anything about her story, she had great determination
 
What do you miss about Art House Studios while in lockdown?
Wine, cheese, pizza and adult conversation😉
 
You can see some of  Adrian’s recent artworks here - 

Online gallery