Artist Information Neil A Clarke

Neil A Clarke | Artist & Designer Craftsman 2.1

Information & Exhibitions

Background Information

Originally from the Ashbourne area of Derbyshire, on the edge of the Peak District National Park, my desire to create artwork of some kind goes right back to my early childhood and was partly inspired by living in such a beautiful area of the UK as well as having family members who made their living as artisans. After completing a Foundation Course in Art & Design at Derby College of Higher Education, I spent three wonderful years studying for a degree in graphic design at Norwich School of Art (1981-84). I became officially self-employed in 1985, working as an artist/illustrator and furniture designer/maker and became a part-time adult education tutor for Derbyshire County Council in 1986.

I live in one of Derby's outlying suburbs with my wife Mel and our daughter Kerryn. Mel and I share a love of contemporary/traditional world music - especially that of Ireland. Mel is a musician and storyteller and qualified school teacher with specialist knowledge of teaching West Indian Steel Pan groups in primary schools. When possible we both enjoy exploring the landscape of the Peak District National Park (with our Welsh border collie dog 'Bowey') - particularly the countryside along the course of the River Dove. We are both enjoying the priceless time spent looking after our lovely daughter.

Paintings

I love to produce my landscape paintings out on site - the best way I feel to really observe the unique character and topographical features of Derbyshire and East Staffordshire. The end result is a looser more spontaneous approach where I feel that I am as one with the scenery - painting almost subconsciously. A keen photographer, I have also used my own original photographs as reference material - using digital camera media in conjunction with a traditional sketchbook when there isn't time to paint on site. From this information, back in the studio, I have produced more detailed figurative landscape studies concentrating on pictorial composition and the effects of light on the dramatic Peak District landscape.

I have also produced studio based paintings which depict reflected images on glass surfaces - often a multiplicity of ambiguous perspectives - aiming to challenge my own observational painting abilities and those of the picture viewer looking at what is confusing but also intriguing imagery. I use my own photographs as reference material - aiming to add an extra dimension to the image by transcribing them into transparent acrylic and watercolour paintings - more can be seen in Reflections.

My painting palette consists of six main colours - Cerulean Blue, French Ultramarine Blue, Lemon Yellow, Yellow Ochre (substituted by Naples Yellow Pale for oil paintings + Titanium white), Burnt Sienna and Alizarin Crimson - all the paintings on this website are painted with mixtures of these with the addition of Winsor Blue (red shade) mainly for watercolours and acrylics.

I can produce paintings and drawings to commission - specialising mainly in architectural and landscape subject matter. Although my most familiar medium is watercolour, I also work in pen and wash, acrylics, gouache, oils and pastels - enjoying the differing qualities of each media. I am able to frame my own oil and acrylic (on canvas) paintings. A full list of original paintings currently available (to purchase directly from my studio or from retail art galleries) can be found on the Sales Information 1 page of this website.

Furniture Design

Since the end of last summer (08) and mainly due to the generally poor economic situation, I have been working for local furniture manufacturers on a freelance basis and more recently I've been producing furniture for individual customers to order (as well as the odd small item for exhibition). Examples of archive furniture work are shown below and more can be seen on the Furniture Design section.

Forthcoming Exhibitions & Events

No exhibitions of new paintings planned for the foreseeable future unfortunately, although I have recently produced a considerable number of small watercolour paintings for reproduction as 'Local (notelet) Cards' having submitted a tender (which was accepted) to supply five Derbyshire County Council countryside/visitor centres dotted around the county (click here to view these images).

After exhibiting items of furniture at the Ferrers Gallery (at the Ferrers Centre for the Arts and Crafts, Staunton Harold, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, LE65 1RU) through March/April - I will be showing work again from July 2010. Tel: +44 (0)1332 863337. Items included dovetailed tables/stools in solid oak, black walnut and yew along with a writing box and stand/table in solid N. American cherry (some pictures shown on the Furniture page of this site).

Opus Gallery of (34) St John Street, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 1GH, have taken delivery of some of my original paintings (as well as dovetailed tables) for general exhibition. Tel. +44 (0)1335 348989

A selection of framed prints reproduced from my original paintings can be purchased at The Bridge Centre for Natural Health on Ladybank Road, Mickleover, Derby,

Previous Exhibitions and Events

My reflection paintings were exhibited as part of the 2008 Melbourne Festival Art & Architecture Trail. 'Melbourne Reflected' was used as the main image on the publicity postcards for last years festival and my work was also featured in connection to the festival in the July 2008 issue of the 'Derbyshire Magazine'.

I exhibited at the National Trust Visitors Centre, Ilam Park, Staffordshire (nr. Ashbourne) from 3rd to 11th May 2008. The exhibition titled 'Peak District Observed' consisted of a selection of studio and on-site paintings in watercolours, acrylics and oils.

Throughout February 2008 I was invited to exhibit some of my reflection paintings at the Derby Cathedral Centre.

I exhibited some reflection paintings as part of the 2007 Wirksworth 'Art and Architecture Trail' which takes place annually at the start of the September Arts Festival. In 1987 I was invited to hold an exhibition of my watercolour paintings in the library as part of Festival in its early years - I exhibited furniture in the 1994 Trail.

Patchings 2006 Art Competition/Exhibition: I had two paintings (reflections) chosen for exhibition in the 'The Artist Magazine' professional category as part of the 13th Patchings Art, Craft and Design Festival at Patchings Art Centre, Oxton Road, Calverton, Nottinghamshire, UK.

The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) 'Open All Media' Exhibitions (in the Spring 2005 exhibition I was awarded the Winsor & Newton sponsored 1st Prize with a watercolour painting of 'The German Pavilion, Barcelona'. (Regular exhibitions take place - visit: www.rbsa.org.uk).

The Derby City Open at Derby Museums & Art Gallery.

The Derbyshire Open held at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery (in the 1983 exhibition I won the 'Monroe Trophy' - for my watercolour painting of Bradbourne Mill, Derbyshire, which was then purchased by Derbyshire County Council and added to their permanent collection).

The Nottingham City Open at Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery.

Any comments you would like to make about the work shown on this site would be very much appreciated.

Commissions | Homepage