Artists - David Wood - Free online Portfolio

David Wood - United Kingdom

About the artist

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Member since the very beginning

I have been passionate about drawing and painting ever since childhood. I grew up in Liverpool; where my father was an amateur painter and worked for the Walker Art Gallery. I can remember seeing him sketch on old news papers, often in pen; subjects would often be nuts and bolts or seascapes. It wasn't until my teenage years, after gaining an 'A' grade in Art O'level that I felt art was something I would like to study more. For the time being though, due to parental pressure, it was not meant to be.

Some years later, I knew for sure that art was where my heart was, so I left home to start a Diploma in Graphic Design, in Southport, Merseyside (1988-1990). Working in the evenings to support myself through college, I successfully gained my Diploma. Graphic Design introduced me to the profession of Illustration. This area appealed to me more because it involved creating images as well as a different kind of thinking process and expression. I applied for the Illustration course at, what was then called Anglia Polytechnic. I was successful, after my interview with Martin Salisbury and Thomas Newbolt, in gaining an unconditional entry (1990-1992). My study there not only involved practical use of a variety of mediums but we were also encouraged to develop a process of thinking and translating text to image. This was the beginning of my current conscious thought process of developing ideas for my paintings. I then returned back to Anglia Polytechnic University for a year, to upgrade my Illustration Diploma to a BA (hons) Degree (1997-1998). Illustration against fine art is often seen as two different things. My thoughts are now, that there is not a lot of difference. A painting in a gallery of say a classical mythical scene is considered a painting, yet it tells a detailed story. And these days, an illustration can sometimes be given an abstract result.

Currently my work revolves around scenes in Cambridge, where I live. These might be quite figurative; I also have an attraction to sub-urban nocturnal scenes. My paintings are often inspired by how light can change a scene or the effects on a person or building. Commissioned portraits are also a part of my ongoing interest in painting.

At the moment my time is divided by working full-time in a Press Office and painting in the evenings and weekends.

List of most recent exhibitions

12A Gallery, Fulbourn-11th March 2005

Cambridge Open Studios-2005

Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries, London-17th November 2005

The Old Fire Engine House, Ely-14th February 2006

Broughton House Gallery, Cambridge 18th November 2006 -24th December 2006

Borders Bookstore, Cambridge-4th March to 18th April 2007

Broughton House Gallery, Cambridge-28th April to 19th May 2007

LATEST NEWS

JULY-The Old Fire Engine House, Ely. 12th July to 31st August- "Dance" a themed exhibition. I have been asked by Ann Jarman to submit some of my work as part of a mixed exhibition. The exhibition will feature work by a variety of artists based around the theme of "Dance".
AUGUST-The Banqueting House, Whitehall, London. 15th August-23rd August 2007-Annual Exhibition. A new and promising opportunity has arisen for me. As I am currently working in the Civil Service I have discovered that there still remains a Association of Civil Service Art Clubs although now it is called Civil and Public Service Artists. It's history goes back to the 1930's! I am now a member and will be showing some of my work this August in Whitehall.
Looking ahead to the end of the year. I intend to enter work into two London based shows The New English Art Club (30th November-10 December) and The Discerning Eye (16th November-26th November). However with the latter I shall be checking out who the selectors are before I submit. So I can definitely say I shall have a busy summer ahead of me!