Denis Reading

From 1st September to 29th September 2013

Schooled from an early age by my uncle I have realised my life long wish to become an artist, not through the usual route of art college and university, but through the studios of advertising agencys. Starting as an apprentice and ending up as a self employed graphic designer and company director. My working life has been hectic, always meeting

dead lines and pushing for the latest trend in design. Along the way night school gave me a City in Guilds in typography and graphic design and qualifications in desk top publishing. While all this was taking place I dabbled in painting pictures for friends and family. After a canal holiday in the sixties, when working narrow boats were still plyinging there way around the system, I was moved to create a series of paintings which lead to my first one man

exhibition. I was more than pleased to cover my costs. Painting only in my spare time I needed a medium that was fast drying, a minimum of fuss to set up and pack away and easy to store. Acrylics had just come on the market and filled the requirements to a tee. I used acrylics for some ten years before changing to oils, this came about when I began to work with a fellow artist who teased me with “When are you going to use real paints” The change over was slow and torturous as I had to re-educate my self on how to use oils, it had been some years since I had used them.

Of all the mediums oils are the most versatile and forgiving, one can achieve any effect with them from using a palette knife or the finest of brushes. The criticism of smell doesn’t apply any more as the latest oils are water soluble.  Faster drying of normal oils are aided by the use of liquin medium this also serves as a thinning agent in place of turps again low odour. It has taken some years to attain the standards I set myself, mainly due to the low input of

time and the learning curve needed. The other factor was low vision in my left eye that was corrected by an operation.  During the refurbishment of our house half the garage was converted into a studio. This transformed the way I was able to work, no more setting up and packing away each day. This was the turning point when quality began to emerge and has continued to increase with every painting I produce. I can now put in four or more painting hours a day, some of my contemporaries put in up to eight or more per day.

I became an associate member of The Guild of Railway Artists, this gives me at least one exhibition a year and I volunteer one day to the Kidderminster Rail Museum printing their photographic orders. I do not restrict my self to any one subject, thou they seem to be mostly mechanical, obviously railways added to that are cars, motorbikes,

airplanes, canals and lastly landscapes. Landscapes are my relaxing form of art as I can experiment with techniques and adopt some of them into my other paintings if needed. Criticism of one’s work is the essential spur to improving the over all quality and rectify any faults that may be present in a painting. The Guild’s exacting requirements

has certainly been a factor, I now hang my paintings so I can view them on a daily bases. This is good practice it is amazing just how many improvements present themselves over a few weeks. Hurt pride doesn’t sell pictures so turn criticism into positive assessment as it was intended in the first place. This year will be hectic as I have two exhibitions and nearly all new paintings have to be prepared. I am a studio based artist, most likely will remain one, this stems from my commercial art days. Working this way means I use a camera extensively taking distant and close up photographs from as many angles possible to give 3D imagery, this doesn’t mean I am a slave to them I still move things around to suit the composition. This stage of my painting career is proving to be very satisfying and I hope many more years are in the pipe line. I look forward to August at Picton Castle in Pembrokeshire and at Shildon Railway Museum in September. Shildon is the Guilds annual exhibition.

NGS Open Day

Sunday 26th May 2013

Open from 10.30 am til 5.00 pm

Normal Entry Fees Apply

]]> http://www.pictoncastle.co.uk/ngs-open-day-2/feed 0 http://www.pictoncastle.co.uk/rhs-summer-walk-summer-colour-in-the-garden http://www.pictoncastle.co.uk/rhs-summer-walk-summer-colour-in-the-garden#comments Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:30:37 +0000 Tania http://www.pictoncastle.co.uk/?p=4370

Come along and join our Head Gardener in his grand tour of  our wonderful 44 acres of woodland gardens.

From 10.30am – 12.00 Noon

£7.50 per person, Free to Garden Club Members

Performed by the wonderful Artistic Licence, this promenade performance once again promises to amaze all,  the play will be performed throughout the grounds and rooms of Picton Castle and Gardens with a wet weather alternative available.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 01437 751326 or by clicking below.

Performances are:

Thursday 4th July 7.00pm performance

Friday 5th July 7.00pm performance

Sunday 7th July 4.00pm performance

Performed by the wonderful Artistic Licence, this promenade performance once again promises to amaze all,  the play will be performed throughout the grounds and rooms of Picton Castle and Gardens with a wet weather alternative available.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 01437 751326 or by clicking below.

Performances are:

Thursday 4th July 7.00pm performance

Friday 5th July 7.00pm performance

Sunday 7th July 4.00pm performance

Ticket Price £10 per person (non refundable)

Performed by the wonderful Artistic Licence, this promenade performance once again promises to amaze all,  the play will be performed throughout the grounds and rooms of Picton Castle and Gardens with a wet weather alternative available.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 01437 751326 or by clicking below.

Performances are:

Thursday 4th July 7.00pm performance

Friday 5th July 7.00pm performance

Sunday 7th July 4.00pm performance

Anne Rees Embroidery Exhibition

From 1st July – 30th July 2013

Sunday 9th June 2013

Adults £12.50, Under 16′s £5.00, Under 5′s Free 

Once again  this wonderful event is to be held in the beautiful Great Hall of Picton Castle.

Come along and enjoy the amazing performances by these very talented young people.

Cava and Canapes from 6.30 pm, concert starting at 7.00 pm

Mark Cox

www.markcoxpaintings.co.uk