Paul Newman

As a graphic fine artist intrigued by nature, Paul works exclusively in graphite and is interested in detail, texture and tone inspired by elements of the ancient landscape and stories of Wessex.

His work is created from research into the nature and history of places that interest him; geology, ecology and sometimes interaction with human activity. Walking is an important part of the working process, understanding the character and distinctive atmosphere of a certain area, as Paul Nash referred to the ‘genius loci.’ Much of his work comes from places that have been explored and returned to repeatedly, with an ingrained personal significance, with the work mostly a response to being affected by memories or experience over time in those places. He explores the links between the places that he finds and the stories that fashioned them. His influences are maps and writers, geologists and legends, songs and poems. Drawings and photographs taken in the field are then worked up into finished pieces in the studio.

Paul is also interested in how nature manifests itself on human objects, reclaiming and abstracting these forms, such as overgrown remains, weathering, seasonal change and decay. He looks for evidence of human activity changing landscapes into places, creating unique locations which can affect, uplift or threaten.

He has shown work at various galleries across the South West, including the Bath Annual Open, Messums Wiltshire and the Royal West of England Academy as well as in London with the Society of Graphic Fine Art.