Fire and ice : A focus on Lavenham artist Paul Evans
Lavenham artist Paul Evans finds interesting colours in the often barren and subdued landscapes of January and February. We ask him why this time of the year intrigues him
You might not think the bleak midwinter is a time for inspiration and bold artistry but painter Paul Evans defies that convention. The artist, who has a gallery in Lavenham and whose work is collected nationally and internationally, loves this time of year as these snowcoated images show.
Maybe the azure skies and flower speckled meadows of his many summer pictures are slightly easier subjects but winter certainly doesn’t limit his creativity. “Winter landscapes are a favourite as they show the simplicity and bare bones of the landscape,” he says. “I did wait some 15 years for snow to lay on Aldeburgh beach. When it did I spent a long morning on the beach sketching and painting knowing it would melt rapidly. Boats in snow are unusual but inspiring for something different.”
He says there is more colour in a landscape shaded mainly white than many realise. “The snow reflects the light back, so if there is a particularly stunning sunset it will glow with colour. I’ve always loved half an hour before the light goes at dusk which can give unusual colours and dramatic light.”
“This time of year I can usually last about three hours painting outside in winter. I have a heated jacket that you warm up by plugging it into the mains before going out. I also have mountaineer pads inside gloves that keep heated for a while.”
Paul points out that it is the light which can pinpoint something specific in a landscape amongst the greys and whites, even if it is just a fleeting moment. “Sometimes people come to the gallery and say they’ve noticed the colours in the landscape for the first time after becoming aware of them through my work,” he explains.
Does he keep any of his art…perhaps pieces that mean so much he can’t be parted from them?
“I have kept three paintings of birds, a robin, wren and a goldfinch. Studying birds at a very young age inspired me to want to paint for a living. I still can’t believe I painted them! They remind me of those early days when my interest first began and I remember how I struggled to paint them well enough. But with years of perseverance and hard work I was able to vastly improve and see the evolution of quality. I still know I have much more to learn – I’m a tough critic of what I do.”
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