With my arrival at the prestigious École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts fast approaching, I have been asked to write a short article in regards to my journey as a young painter. At the age of 20, I will be embarking on a momentous change, one which will include relocating to a new country with a new language, whilst beginning my attendance at one of most influential art schools in modern times, following in the footsteps of esteemed alumni, such as Ingres and Matisse.

For the most part of my life, I have lived and been educated in Rye and its surrounding areas, having recently completed my Foundation Diploma at Rye Studio School. I was introduced to the life of a creative from a very young age, and through my own experiences and experimentation, all whilst being nurtured by the careful guidance of a few key figures, I have matured into a young artist now firmly on the artist’s path, albeit I am only at the beginning.

Briefly, my artistic interest lies in the exploration, and eventual understanding, of colour and all of its properties, through the means of a method of expression akin to Zen, known by the name of Psychic Automatism. I do possess a more extensive array of subordinate interests, however, these are the main two. My hopes are to find a unifying means of a painterly language through the successful harmony between colour and the expression of the mind, and soul as explored through automatism. The search for authenticity, an art of response to the 21st century, to be a witness of my time and to express such times through necessary means will be the task at hand.

My pictures are composed from a variety of materials, chosen not by choice, but usually by necessity. I have the tendency to use fine artist paint alongside tradesman paint bought from the local hardware store, which is also where I acquire a lot of my painting tools such as my brushes etc. I am known to use sticks and bamboo, decorator’s tools, sponges and rags, palette knifes, and anything else which may be unlucky enough to be within reach while in the chaotic moment of passion that is the execution of a painting.

My sources of inspiration mostly come from the great masters of old up to and including the modern art of the late 60’s, Poetry (particularly Baudelaire and Rimbaud), Philosophy (Nietzsche and Camus), Nature, the basic human emotions, and femininity. However, it would be ignorant of me to say that these which influence me now, will be what influence me in time to come. Aided by the generosity and support of individuals such as the Foundation Governors, Jacqui Lait, and my current patrons who acquire my works, I will be in a stronger financial position to study in Paris at the Beaux-Arts come September. Cezanne said that with the “apple” he would “astonish” Paris; equally, with colour and painting, I hope to do the same.

photo: Kenneth Bird