About Paul L Clark

Artists Statement:
 
I work with various media, depending on the effect I am after. With my paintings, I favour the use of acrylics, as the paint is quick drying and can be used impasto through to thin layers. This medium is versatile and suits my need for fast expression. The use of oil is more laboured, yet has a richness of colour.
My choice of media and colour depends on what I want my picture to convey. With black & white or sepia, I want to create an antiquated/sombre feel. The use of charcoal, printmaking in monocolour/ pen and ink/ pencil drawing gives the image an illustrative readable narrative of details. Whilst a melody of colour brings a painting to life, as the eye is drawn to the complementary and contrasting colours- causing the colours to vibrate.
My marks can be taking a line for a walk. A simple solid line, confidently drawn creates a border, whilst a number of lines creates a rhythm.
 
My subjects are both portraits/life drawing and landscape, both industrial and rural landscapes. Some are imaginative, conveying a theme like illustration of details that can be read. Other works are colourful, where colour evokes a mood a emotion. The combination of illustration and use of colour is ongoing in my work.
 
I love to find new techniques and work with them. I have ideas that need expression, scenes that need painting- like the morning sunrise regular and never ending, to the cycles of the moon- a poets dream, a time of reflection.

 
Artists Biography:

The artist is originally from Thornton in Bradford, West Yorkshire. His formal studies took place at Thornton Grammar, he gained an A-level in Art and after sixth form went to study a foundation in Art and Design at Bradford college. It was here where, after a short period of study, his artistic training ended for a period of time due to health reasons.
 
In 1996 Paul went back to his artistic studies this time doing Textile Design at Huddersfield University and was taken on as a trainee textile designer for his father’s firm- William Rigg and Co.
Many years later, in 2008, he returned to Bradford College to undertake another foundation in Art and Design, which completed and which led onto degree studies.
 
The artist’s life has been a difficult journey, as he suffers from a debilitating mental illness. Yet it is this that he tries to express artistically- considering that this maybe his inspiration? From a young age the artist showed a precocious ability. He furthered his knowledge of art history through formal and self study resulting in a broad, varied interest and understanding of artists and art movements.
 
He works in many mediums, but his preferred medium is paint. When unwell he relies on a simple pencil and a mirror, for a self Portraits, He finds solace and meditation with the new medium of the iPad, which he finds both therapeutic and liberating.
 
The artist has often sold or given works to family and friends, and has donated to the Bradford Art college collection. He has exhibited at the Bradford Open competition twice, held at Cartwright Hall as well as at the Bingley Little Theater. For the World Mental Health Day, he exhibited at Salts Mill. He has works of art belonging to Clive Nevitt’s collection of outsider artists.
 
He now lives in Grassington North Yorkshire where he hopes to join the Craven Artists.