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Peter Williams
Interview with the artist
Describe your routine on a day when you are working on your art?
My day always begins with a walk in the countryside with my German Shepherd dog Murphy. If starting a new project, it's at this time I begin planning what I'm about to create. If in the middle of a project then I'll be thinking of what I'm going to do next, maybe just a title or perhaps how to create a particular effect. By the time I get home I'm itching to start. I feed Murphy, eat my own breakfast while catching up with emails etc., then it's in to the studio to start work. I work without a break until about 1:30 then stop for lunch. I spend most afternoons out walking with Murphy and Jenny (my partner) if she's not at work. We usually go to the beach, occasionally the local woodlands or out on the marshes beside the River Alde. I like to spot a bit of wildlife, take a few photographs, maybe have a swim in the Summer. Returning by about 4 o'clock it's back to work until about 6:30. Sometimes I'll work in the evening if I've nothing better to do.
If money were no object which artwork would you buy?
An artist I much admire is James Bama so I would buy an original of his.
What is the first artwork you ever sold?
It was a watercolour of Cadgewith, a small fishing village in Cornwall. In 2002 I had just given up my full-time occupation in I.T. and was painting part-time, driving a lorry for the other half of the week. I very nervously submitted six paintings to a local open exhibition and was so thrilled when one sold.
Have you ever had a gap where you haven't done any work, what made you restart?
Yes. In September 2004, just after becoming a fully self employed artist, I was knocked off my motorcycle by a careless driver. Among other injuries, I suffered two broken wrists and badly injured my hand. I was unable to paint for about three months. When I finally picked up my watercolours and brushes again, I found it very difficult to achieve any satisfactory results, and feared I would never get back to my earlier standard. In desperation I decided to go back to basics and carried out some detailed graphite pencil drawings. I was pleased with the results and the first one I put in my Mini Gallery sold the same day. I then decided to invest in some pastel and coloured pencils and these mediums are now an important part of my repertoire. With much practice, I finally got back to grips with my watercolours and now produce a much more varied body of work. Just goes to show how something positive can come from a bad experience.
If you could travel back which point in art history would you like to visit?
While I was travelling through the air during the afore mentioned accident, I would concentrate on landing on my head rather than my hands, which would probably have had a positive effect rather than the ordeal I had to go through.
How long does it usually take you to complete an artwork?
It varies considerably depending on subject, size and medium. There are days when a watercolour painting just flows and can be completed in about six hours. Others may take two or three days. Some of my pencil drawings can take even longer but I don't look at it as an hourly paid job and it takes as long as it takes. I won't put anything up for sale unless I am happy with it.
What do you like best about being an artist?
I've achieved my ambition of being entirely self reliant. I get up when I wake up (no alarms in my house) work as much or as little as suits me. That's not to say I'm lazy, I probably put in more hours now than ever before, it's just that I love every minute.
What do you like least about being an artist?
I accept that as an artist I have to watch the pennies quite carefully, never really knowing when my next income is coming. What really bugs me is the number of people trying to make a fast buck on the back of my efforts and sacrifice. I've had gallery proprietors lie to me and not pay me. I've had images taken and used for cross-stitch, or copied by other artists. Countless other scenarios, I'm now quite wise to all this but in the early days I was ripped off quite a lot. It has made me more cynical and suspicious of people, something I never used to be.
Do you display your own art at home?
Oh yes. All of the walls in my home are covered in my work. They're not priced up, but it's a safe way to store them, and many a visitor ends up going away with either a painting or at least some greetings cards. Not many escape!
Where do you work, do you have a studio?
We've moved to the East coast of Suffolk and I now have a room at the back of the house as a dedicated studio. I'm out and about every day in this beautiful part of the country, walking for miles with my dog and always looking for subject matter. I'm not someone who paints on location though, it doesn't suit my style and I can't concentrate with too many distractions. I prefer to rely on sketches and photographs and to work in the comfort of my studio.
I also have a workshop in the garden which houses my picture framing equipment.
What is the best thing somebody could say about your art?
Thankfully I've had many a wonderful comment from my customers, the nicest of which was when a lady said she actually cried when she received her painting. (I can assure you she meant it in a good way!)
If you could pick just three colours to work with what would they be?
French Ultra Marine Blue, Light Red, Naples Yellow. You can mix these in various proportions to achieve colours ranging from almost black, through velvety purples to quite a nice orange. I achieve a lot of my evening skies using these colours
What item could you not do without?
My CD/tape player. Music has a great influence on me and helps me get in the mood. I play music throughout the day while I am working and the time just flies. Everything from Rory Gallagher to Bob Dylan.
What is in your artistic toolbox?
I shudder to think. I have an old chest of drawers bulging with all sorts of things I've used in the past to achieve various textures and effects. Everything from jars of salt crystals to wax candles. When anything goes missing in the house, there's a good chance it'll be found in one of my drawers.
Did a particular person or event spark your interest in art?
At age 8 years old, a painting of mine was entered by my school into the Hornimans Tea national painting competition and I won 3rd prize. I was taken to the presentation by my teacher where, accompanied by loud applause I went on stage to receive my prize. It was at this point I realised that not everyone could draw and paint successfully. It hadn't occurred to me before and I've painted (and drank tea) ever since.
If your artwork could be displayed anywhere in the world where would you choose?
My work is not expensive, I'm not pretentious and I hate any form of snobbery. I have a very varied portfolio and therefore like to have my work displayed in as many venues as possible. I wouldn't mind if it were the Tate or my local pub. There are people who will appreciate it and some who won't, as long as it's looked at I've achieved my main goal.
Do you have a favourite amongst your own artwork?
This changes regularly, and it's usually something I've recently finished which has turned out how intended, especially if I've tried something new. My favourite piece is not usually the same as anyone elses, perhaps as the artist I look at them differently. I am often suprised at what sells when something I'm particularly proud of stays on my wall for ages. My portraits give me the most satisfaction but don't necessarily sell as well as other work. I have a piece called 'Too Old To Rock And Roll' and another 'Jack In The Green' both of which I'm very proud of. I don't mind keeping them.
What media would you like to try out?
I would love to do more wood sculpture. I did some years ago and enjoyed it immensely. I'm not a great fan of abstract 2 dimensional art, but 3 dimensional pieces have so much more to offer, particularly in wood where the beauty of the raw material can contribute so much.
What do you find most difficult?
Without a doubt self promotion is the most difficult thing for me as an artist. Some on-line galleries are great and very useful but they are just a part of what is needed, I put in a lot of work marketing myself and it doesn't come naturally to me.
What is your favourite media and why?
I would have to say watercolour. Sadly considered to be the weapon of choice for amateurs and beginners, if used to it's full potential watercolour is actually the most challenging and versatile of media. Although I don't think I'll ever stop learning, I have spent many years honing my skill and techniques, pushing the boundaries to achieve a level unsurpassed by many of my contemporaries.
A close second is graphite pencil. I go into a world of my own concentating on the high level of detail I achieve. I find it quite therapeutic, time flies and the satisfaction I get from producing such photo-realistic images is immense. Unfortunately these are not so commercial and so, as a professional artist I have to limit the time I spend with my pencils.
What was the last exhibition you visited?
Apart from my own, I went to see an exhibition by famous local artist Maggi Hambling (not particularly impressed). Other than that I tend to go to see local exhibitions and open studios here in Suffolk.
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