ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
KENT ARTIST PROFILE :
ALEX JOHN
INSPIRED BY NATURAL FORM , ALEX JOHN GROUNDS HIS WORK , WHICH SPANS FROM INK TO WATERCOLOUR , ACRYLIC TO METAL WORK , IN NATURE ; IN A CAREER THAT EFFORTLESSLY TRANSITIONS FROM CANVAS AND SCULPTURE TO LIVING GARDEN DESIGN .
What led you to becoming an artist ?
Ever since being a young child I have always loved to play with colours , form and texture . When I was studying A Level art my passion crystalised into a clear intention to make art and creativity a profession . As a philosophical and spiritually intuitive person I knew I had to create my dreams to be happy .
Where did your style evolve from ?
The natural world is without doubt my biggest inspiration , I also work as a garden designer and creator . My closeness to the infinite manifestations of shape , colour , texture and form in plants , flowers and trees constantly inspires me to reflect and intensify a particular energy , mood , feeling , colour or beauty of form through my sculpture and artwork . I am at my best working from , in and alongside nature
Tell us more about the different mediums you work with ?
My art career began predominantly using acrylic paint which to this day gives me the fluidity of movement on a large scale coupled with the ability to create thick deep texture and the richness of colour to capture the vibrant hues and expansive diversity of texture in mother nature .
From pen and ink on olive wood to charcoals and watercolour I will find the best medium to express my inspiration . Working in metal has become a passion . I love the physicality of manipulating organic three dimensional forms from such a stark manmade sheet material . I aim to achieve the very living essence of the natural forms I sculpt echoing the solemn , fleeting beauty of a flower , leaf or tree captured in a much more permanent snapshot of sculpture that can be enjoyed time and again . I let my metal sculptures rust naturally , muted ochre and burnt umber tones smoldering into the natural world as if part of the landscape itself .
Who are your artistic heroes ?
I draw my inspiration primarily from mother nature , however there are two prominent artists that truly captured my attention during my art studies . The first , Georgia O ' Keeffe for her powerful yet often subtle close up abstract appearing sections of flowers . I too am drawn to use a section or element of a natural form to create something seemingly abstract but intrinsically accurately representative of a real life form .
The other , Frank Auerbach purely for his indulgent use of thick textured paint giving a sculptural three dimensional element to paintings full of flow and energy .
Where can we see your work ?
My work is on display at my own Gallery / Studio the Alex John Art Gallery based at Loddington Farm , Loddington Lane , Linton , Maidstone , Kent , ME17 4AG .
It ' s a fantastic large display and working studio space set next to a florists flower plot in the heart of the stunning Kent countryside . The Gallery is open to the public every Saturday 10am -5pm and privately by appointment . I look forward to meeting you when you visit !
You can also find out more about me , my work and the gallery at www . alexjohn . co . uk , instagram . com / alexjohncreations and Etsy : AlexJohnCreations .
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