I was born in Durham and grew up in a mainly mining area. Some family and relatives worked at the mines. This was something I never considered and followed a different career. I left school and after many years as a sign writer I went back to college and studied as a graphic designer. I became interested in art at an early age through my grandfather on my mothers side, a miner himself and a very good artist. I stopped my art for a number of years to help raise my children. I am now at a point where I can take up my art again. My themes are strongly based on growing up in the 1960's. My work is based around childhood memories, such as a jam sandwiches for tea or a once a week treat of an ice cream (though not every week). There was my mum using the mangle, or washing the step, every week without fail. It is remembering the games of marbles or the washing hanging in the street, chalk marks for a game of Hopscotch which would remain on the path for weeks after. Jack the Jack Russell dog is now a main feature in all my work. In most of my art I use tones of grey oil paints with a touch of colour. The object is to convey a sense of times past, and an nostalgic atmosphere. I feel its a way of writing a story using a brush and some happy memories.
Hi Mate,
Just wanted to wish you a happy new year and that I popped into the Bee Hive last week much to my amazement it seems to have become a gallery for your work ;-) I spent ages getting everyone to look at it and where they can buy it.
I’ll see you next weekend if you are there.
P.S, Dont park and offload in the bus stop you get a parking ticket.
Hi Gary, I love your work! Especially the Coalmen and the Icecream Van. Julie
Hi Gary, I love your work! Especially the Coalmen and the Icecream Van. Julie