Self Portrait, Charcoal, by John King
When did you start your creative practice and why?
It’s something I’ve never really stopped, or started, for that matter. I’ve just always needed to be creative, whether in my day job or in my outside interests. If I was pushed to pinpoint a particular time I began to focus more on studio work, then I’d have to say it would be during my recuperation at home after a serious illness.
How would you describe your artistic style to someone unfamiliar with your work?
I generally consider myself to be a ‘realist’. That is to say the image I produce is a
recognisable representation of the subject matter.
What themes or ideas do you find yourself returning to most often?
I have primarily seen myself as a figurative artist. So, it’s perhaps a little odd that I started painting and drawing the fragments of landscapes that I now call Dark Flowers. I have returned to this theme consistently over the last15 years. I now don’t see a need for a defined end to it.
What is your creative process from idea to finished piece is it always the same?
It is in so far as working on each project. So, for instance, with the Dark Flowers paintings I usually stumble across a ready made fragment of a landscape that has intrigue, contrasting light and an unorthodox beauty. This is often at the most awkward location and inconvenient time. I used to carry my camera around with me wherever I went. Now I’ve stepped into the twenty first century and use my mobile phone to snap a series of images to work with. I do also try to carry a small sketchbook to take colour notes and make loose graphite studies to work with in the studio later.
Is there a particular piece of yours that feels especially meaningful? Why?
The first ‘Big Head’ painting, Dad Head, which I started just before my father passed away.
What do you find challenging as an artist, and how do you overcome these challenges?
Making myself show my work to others and approaching galleries. Rejection and criticism has always been quite hard for me to cope with. I’m now finding the way to overcome this is to do it anyway. The encouragement and support offered by Hopton Hall Gallery has been invaluable.
Do you ever have creative blocks, how do you keep motivated?
I’m very much resigned to living with the curse of creative blocks! My cure, till the next time, is always a trip to an exhibition. The thrill of seeing and experiencing someone else’s creative outpourings always seems to do the trick.
Who are the artists (past or present) who have strongly influenced you?
Figuratively it would have to be Lucian Freud, Jenny Saville, Paula Rego and Frank
Auerbach. Landscape wise I’d have to include David Hockney, Turner (seascapes), Tai-Shan Schierenberg (small studies), John Virtue and Len Tabner.
How has your style or perspective evolved over time?
From my very early school days I always thought that photorealism was the pinnacle of
artistic endeavour. However, as I progressed through education, and my own practice, I
quickly realised it was only one of many approaches. Indeed, currently, one of the most
important aspects of my work is the acknowledgement of the mark making process.
What tools, materials, or techniques are essential to your practice? Is there a colour you just couldnot do without?
Brushes, charcoal, paint, knives, fingers and erasers are all indispensable in my work. One colour I return to time and again is Prussian Blue. I still have to work out why.
If you could give the younger you advice what would it be?
To worry less about what others think of your work.
Have you got a project / award/ residency/ or idea are you excited to share with us?
I started a project a number of years back that I’d labelled ‘Big Heads’. I’m aiming to resurrect this in the coming months. As mentioned above, the first image was a large scale painting of my fathers head. There wasn’t any particular set of chosen sitters. The deciding factor was simply striking facial features. They were/are to be painted the size of the first completed image which is 6’ high by 4’ wide. A little tricky to transport in my car, but not insurmountable!
If your work could evoke one feeling or reaction in viewers, what would it be?
Intrigue……perhaps.
What is your website and how do we find you on social media?
No website yet as its under construction or reconstruction. Instagram: john.king.artist
