Kingfisher - playing a waiting game. Oils

ALEX MCLAREN

Alex was given some oil paints, brushes and a canvas some 50 years ago to see if he had an interest in painting. After some dabbling and a encouragement from family and friends, he felt drawn to develop his new found hobby using water colours and oil paints and picking on an eclectic range of subjects and styles.

Self taught to begin with, he sought inspiration from Art Galleries and those that shared an interest in Art. This culminated in joining the Bathampton Art Group led by Jack Bryant approx 30 years ago.

Painting challenges were pursued over successive years which featured in many of the local Bathampton Flower Show and Art Group Exhibitions and covered a wide range of water colours and oil paintings including seascapes, landscapes, animals, abstract, pastoral and historical genres. His preference was to paint with oils and of particular interest, to interpret styles after famous artists such as Veronese, Rubens, Turner, Constable, Boucher to name a few. His artwork attracting much interest from fellow artists particularly his painting of “The Pieta” - Renaissance Statue by Michelangelo.

Alex is still keen to learn new techniques from the lectures and art tutorials arranged by the Art Group. He is also considering taking commissions now that hanging space in his home appears to be running out!