Andy Warhol
Sandra Blow
Tabitha Soren
Patrick Hughes
Day Bowman
Nelson Makamo
Takashi Murakami
Daisy Cook
Fred Ingrams
Barbara Rae
Bruce Mclean
Tracey Emin
This week we chat to multi-award-winning watercolour artist, Peter Haslam Fox, about leopard seals, his views on art school, his influences, and more!
Who are you and what do you do?
I'm attempting to use watercolour, a medium that is innately difficult to use, in a way that is hopefully deceptively simple and with boldness.
Why art?
I've been fixated on it throughout my life. The process of looking is a constantly fascinating one and the history of its practise through art is something you can't fail to get hooked on once you start investigating.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I'm terrified of leopard seals!
How did you get into Art / do you need to go to Art School?
I actually avoided it for years thinking what a terrible career choice, but always just ended up doing something practical or working with someone else's art infuriatingly. Guess it was unavoidable. There's absolutely no need to go to Art School if you've a hunger for art and are willing to find your own way.
How do you describe your artworks in three words?
Pure, Subtle, Strong.
What are your favourite materials to use and what challenged or surpassed you?
Watercolour or ink are my favourite materials - or potentially charcoal too. They all have a simplicity, and with watercolour and ink the frightening prospect of no correction. I don't get pastels, they seem sticky sketchy things and I don't see why anyone just wouldn't use paint.
On average how long does it take you to complete a piece?
On average three to four weeks, though I have been known to destroy overworked paper after three months.
Who are your favourite artists or influences?
Richter, Chinese landscape painting, P. Della Francesca.
Gerhard Richter
What type of setting do you visualise your work in?
Le Corbusier's architecture would be great, though I'd be happy to settle for a quiet wall in a well loved room with the opportunity to sit nearby.
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
The cleaner at a gallery I was showing in some years back bought one of the works for her son.
Who would be your ideal client to commission a piece?
Will Self.
What is your dream project?
To exhibit with a group of likeminded artists trying to rework traditional artistic methods for a modern world and taking the focus of art one step away from concept and toward practice and skill. With a bit of luck it would be organised by Grayson Perry and tour east.
What is the best piece of advice you've been given?
Not to listen too hard to anyone.
If you could own one work of art from Rise Art what would it be?
'Thirty Ballz' by Super Future Kid!
As a little extra here is the man himself, chatting to Winsor and Newton about his choice of medium.
Thanks Peter! Click here to view more of Peter's beautifully delicate watercolour artworks!