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David Raison
Interview with the artist
What is the first artwork you ever sold?
My first sale came in December 2006 and was for "Evening in the South of France".
Did a particular person or event spark your interest in art?
I've been interested in art for as long as I can remember. In my teens, I worked in a professional photographic studio covering advertising and fashion where I bumped into a vast range of celebrities including the Moody Blues (well a couple of them). This wasn't really for me though, so I moved on.
More recently, the 'Rolf on Art' series rekindled a not too dormant interest and I moved onto oils, which is where my involvement with Minigallery begins.
How long does it usually take you to complete an artwork?
I tend to work quickly; a picture can take as little as two hours to complete, but I have taken months doing a bit here and there until satisfied. I find that time pressure works well for me, as it concentrates the mind wonderfully and I don't fuss about over insignificant details.
What is your favourite media and why?
It has to be oils! I had been struggling with watercolour from an early age, never quite getting there. I'd also experimented with pastels (not too bad) and oil pastels (too heavy). I'm also happy with a pencil or two, as I enjoy investigating light and shade.
Do you have a favourite amongst your own artwork?
I think that my favourite piece is one that I painted early in my career; Le Sentier. It is a chapel/look-out at Cap Blanc in France. I was in the early throes of attending evening classes at the Epsom Centre with Shuhua Jin and I really enjoyed getting the feeling of a hot day and heavy rocks. I have this picture on my mobile phone as the screensaver. It's always being seen by others and could prove to be a useful marketing tool.
When did you first start?
I've been playing with art since a child. My brother, who's ten years older than me, was also a keen artist (I've still got his watercolour box) even though he's colour blind. I really got going when I saw 'Rolf on Art' and as a result went to a one-day oils workshop at Fielder's in Wimbledon that my wife had given me as an anniversary present. That was in November 2003 and I've been "splashing it on all over" ever since.
Where do you work, do you have a studio?
Most of my painting has been done in the Epsom Centre studio but, since the class folded (sky-high adult education prices) I've been painting in my garage or utility room. When the weather is good I paint in the garden.
What do you find most difficult?
In common with most part-time artists, my biggest problem is putting aside time to paint. I go to an art class each Monday evening (when it's running) and otherwise try to put aside at least a couple of hours a week. Painting can be a solitary exercise and that doesn't always go down well with my wife, who thinks I should be doing something else!
What is the best tip you can offer budding artists?
The best tip I'd offer anyone interested in art is, to coin a phrase, "just do it". The restrictions that may have applied in the past seem to have evaporated and you'll be able to explore and innovate as much as you like. Get a good teacher if you can, who doesn't impose any style on you.
What is your favourite subject and why?
I love still life. Many people think that it is a dull and boring area but I really like seeing and interpreting the three-dimensional aspects of the subject and getting it onto a canvas. Glass, water and fabric seem to work well for me; flowers are always "interesting", as I have problems with the heads.
What was the last exhibition you visited?
16/11/06:
I visited the David Hockney exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery on 11 November.
Both my wife and I were really taken with the quality of the draughtsmanship; I wish I were as good. Getting to the NPG just before 10am meant that we were at the front of the queue and were able to go straight in and miss the bigger crowds.
I was interested to see how the various portraits had been constructed. At the entrance was a photograph of Hockney's studio. Oh, for such a large space to work in!
The only downside that I could see was that the shop selling related items was inside the exhibition. Otherwise, a most enjoyable experience.
Who or what or where would you love to use as a subject for your artwork?
It has to be Venice. Even though it's been painted by thousands of others, there is something special about the place.
If I couldn't do Venice, then the South of France works well for me. The light off the Med just makes everything wonderful.
What is the best thing somebody could say about your art?
"I like it"
What is the worst thing somebody could say about your art?
"I don't like it" or "amateurish".
Are you messy or neat when you work?
I think I'd class myself as "neat". For instance, i'm always washing the paint out of my brushes during a painting session, as I don't like the idea of getting different colours mixed unintentionally. I also like to keep my paint tubes capped when not in use. I expect the main problem is space; I can't afford the luxury of spreading all over the place.
However, I ALWAYS seem to get paint over my left arm (that holds the palette) and up my sleeve!
Do you display your own art at home?
I usually have my latest painting propped up somewhere, usually in the dining room, so that I can be happy that it's really finished.
Do you find art relaxing?
I think 'relaxing' may not be the best term. I always get lost in the process of painting and time zips by. The downside is that I'm usually exhausted by the end of the session and have to crash out on the sofa with a cup of tea!
I'm not from the school that advocates painting as a means to relax; it means much more to me than that.
What are your future plans? What would you like to achieve?
In the future, I'd like to become a more accomplished painter, particularly in the field of portraiture where I feel that I don't quite hit the mark.
My particular influences are from the impressionist school, although i also like Rembrandt, Canaletto and numerous others.
Which is your favourite art gallery and why?
My favourite gallery is actually two; the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery. Because they are right next to each other, I can flip from one to the other as I wish.
The NPG provides for lots of current work, whereas the National Gallery lets me see works by my favourite artists such as Cezanne, Manet, Degas etc.
What item could you not do without?
Inspiration! No matter what medium you use, it's nothing without inspiration and vision.
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