ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
KENT ARTIST PROFILE :
GRAHAM CLARKE
ARTIST , AUTHOR AND PLAYWRIGHT , GRAHAM CLARKE , HAS SPENT HIS LIFE CREATING LABOURS OF LOVE THAT INSPIRE , DELIGHT AND AMUSE HIS AUDIENCE . THIS NOVEMBER insideKENT TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT DOWN WITH THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ARTIST TO FIND OUT WHAT PROMPTED SUCH AN ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER , WHY HIS PERSONAL BRAND OF CHEEKY HUMOUR IS PRESENT IN MOST OF HIS ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS , AND WHY KENT IS SUCH A BIG SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR HIM .
What was it that inspired your journey to become an artist ?
From an early age I knew this was to be my work , job , life . I was much encouraged by a kind aunt and uncle who purchased materials , and friends and neighbours who bought my works . I was selling watercolours by the age of nine . My dear wife , Wendy , has always been totally supportive ; any success I ’ ve had I share with her . I ’ ve been inspired by other artists , both famous and ‘ anon ’.
Humour plays a huge part in your creative process . Can you tell us a little about why the comedy in everyday life influences you so much ?
Humour can unite people , bringing joy and understanding , helping to ‘ oil the wheels ’ of everyday life . If I see my work bring a smile I feel I ’ ve probably done a good job . I really enjoy looking at life , travel and history through a humorous lens in my books , plays and artwork . I am an idealist but not a perfectionist . Humour rounds the harder edges of life .
You work in a range of different mediums , including watercolours , etchings and block prints . Why is that ?
Different media are there to be explored and possibly provide a living . Alongside making watercolours and sketchbooks , I turned to printmaking realising I could create hand-coloured limited editions and both sell work and keep it . I have always loved this process as everything is produced entirely by hand . I have also worked in stained glass , woodcarving , theatrical scenery , and graphic design .
How has the Garden of England inspired your work ?
I love village life and have been fortunate to have lived in villages most of my life . I believe they provide the maximum opportunity for a peaceful and contented life . I would wish it for everybody . History is very important to me and Kent has an abundance of it , castles , churches , farms and of course , the lovely villages and coast . It can all go into my pictures and if I wish I can add to it . That ’ s where the humour can creep in ; I like to entertain .
What is your biggest accomplishment as an artist to date ?
Some consider that to make a living as an artist for such a long time is in itself an accomplishment . Certainly having work hanging in homes around the world or hearing it has been enjoyed for many years is wonderful . I am pleased also that the Queen has acquired my works and it hangs on the walls of some palaces . Lord Clark , best known as Sir Kenneth Clark the famous art connoisseur , took my work seriously , especially my livres d ’ artiste . One day he took me into his library at Saltwood to see one of my particularly large works standing between the Nuremberg Chronicles and the Gutenberg Bible . “ The only shelf big enough ,” he explained . He gave me much encouragement .
Where can we see your work ?
The best place to see my work is in my studio gallery in Boughton Monchelsea , we open by appointment and we ’ ve always enjoyed welcoming visitors . Or via my website : grahamclarke . co . uk , Instagram @ graham _ clarke _ artist and Facebook pages facebook . com / grahamclarkeartist . You can also look out for my work in galleries around Kent and beyond .
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