John Graham

Artistic background

I was probably inspired to paint by being surrounded by my father’s watercolours, as he was a keen painter. I initially painted in watercolour myself, painting mainly old buildings and village and townscapes, which I exhibited in local galleries and further afield. I turned to oils as I wanted to paint bolder images and stronger colours, and this medium has given me a passion to want to paint bigger and try many new subjects. I still paint old buildings, but also fish, fruit, hands, animals, portraits, or anything else that inspires me. The effects of light, dark and the shadows that exist between, are a very important aspect of my work. I endeavour to enhance the natural beauty in all things I paint, if that is at all possible. As well as exhibiting in galleries and exhibitions in the South West, I have exhibited in London and abroad.