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The paintings are.................

Thursday 28 January 2010

By David Watkins

The paintings can be a Deconstruction and Reconstruction of the landscape, or they are a more direct response to visual simuli, whether they be figurative, landscape based, memory influenced or spiritually influenced. They can also be the result of an inner vision that determines the beginning of the image, the act of drawing or painting may then further determine the way in which it will progress. This can be far removed from a purely visual stimulus one may be confronted with; instead it is more often the result of an emotion or experience that suggests an image and using that as a starting point, I work towards producing an interpretation of my thoughts and emotions. To me, painting is not always the happy, relaxing pastime that is so often its public image; it can be hard work, it can be problematic, the work can sometimes refuse to evolve in the way I intended and the emerging image influences its progress. I allow this interplay between myself and the painting to happen, just like jamming musicians who improvisine the music but still retains a link to the original idea. This process is one that I prefer, and although the image can sometimes grow through informed doodling, it is more often the result of thought, consideration and experiences. Some paintings take only a few hours to complete, a few have taken only minutes; some have taken months even years to reach their destination, slowly evolving into the finished work.

It is in these ways that I can compare the creation of art with the composition and performance of music. All of my life I have been a drummer and I find the same emotions and creative risks coming into play when I paint. There is not much of a difference in my opinion and  jam  sessions can be just as exciting whether Im holding a pair of drum sticks or a paintbrush in my hand, its like having a gig on my own where I am both performer and audience. Both activities stimulate the emotions, both potentially have the power to move and inspire the viewer or listener, both allows one to revisit and alter its state and both have the ability to continue to grow and evolve. Both feed my soul.

Likewise both music and visual art also have the ability to leave one cold or unmoved, the viewer or listener has that choice. I have to remain true to my own feelings and work from the heart regardless of trend. I am then free to further explore both mind and body through the act of painting, and although it would be untrue of me to state that other opinions do not affect me, the relationship Im really interested in is the one between myself and the work.

Work can be seen at Treherbert Gallery Bute St. 01443 777771.

Cadaques can be seen at the Art For Darfur Exhibition BHAC Centre Dec. 16th - Jan 20th 06-07

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Earlier this year a group of individuals in Wales, concerned about the continuing crisis in Darfur, came together with the aim of making a difference. These individuals, with links to the art world both in Wales and Sudan decided to create a project that would highlight the problems in Darfur and raise funds for the humanitarian relief work of Save the Children in this area

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