Nick Derry SWLA

Statement

Nick Derry always starts with sketching what he sees in nature, then he takes the raw images back to the studio where he plays. Using whatever media and methods take my fancy, the creative process becomes an exploration of the excitement of watching birds and other living creatures.

Methodology

Neil works from field sketches, bits of scribbles and paint that are collected whilst watching wildlife. Only from direct observation is it possible to see a birds character well enough to attempt to imitate it on paper. In the field he uses pencil and watercolour for ease and rapidity. Back in the studio, the possibilities are endless, all manner of things find their way into my work. His table is covered in bits of old magazines, glue, pencils, wax crayons and paint that get slapped onto the paper as he tries to balance expressive freedom and restrained accuracy. Pictures that dont meet his fickle standards often get reworked under layers of paper and acrylics. Whilst impatiently waiting for things to dry, Neil is usually working on other pictures. An evening of tranquil painting can very easily turn into a whole night of sleepless frenetic expression.

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