Paul Bartlett RBA

Statement

My paintings are often in progress for months (sometimes even years), beckoning time-layered interacting detail. Overlapping themes regularly include: a homage to family, observation of suburban gardens and flowers through windows. These are a continuation of themes explored during my time at the Royal Academy.

Methodology

At any given time I have a range of different works in progress. Depending upon what I want to ‘say’ in an image, my chosen medium fluctuates between oil paint, graphite pencils, etching and watercolour, and other experimental combinations.

My painting surfaces are usually smooth, primed canvases or board, while drawings or etchings are done using a heavy cartridge paper. Some images evolve independently without preparatory studies. Others give rise to additional visual and written research which is a good way for me to resolve a visual problem. There are always ongoing works in progress which are put on hold whilst I work on other things. This allows the passage of time to encourage a natural narrative and symbolic content in my work, and it also enables me to work out suitable resolutions to visual problems.

Bio

1955 Born in Birmingham

1966 Studied at Mosely Road Secondary School of Art

1973-76 BA (Hons) Fine Art, Falmouth College of Art, Cornwall

1977-80 MA Fine Art Painting, Royal Academy, London

1979 Elected an Associate Member of the Royal Society of British Artists

1981 Elected a full Member of the Royal Society of British Artists

1983 Served as Council Member for the Royal Society of British Artists

1987-90 Postgraduate Diploma in Art History, University of Central Birmingham

1996 Elected an Associate Member of the Royal Society of Birmingham Artists

1997 Elected a full Member of the Royal Society of Birmingham Artists

Memberships

Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, Birmingham and Midland Pastel Society, Birmingham Printmaker