This month dot-art speaks to artist Nathan Pendlebury.
Born in Chester in 1973, Nathan grew up across the North West of England. He studied at Warrington Collegiate Institute (1990–1993) and Liverpool John Moores University (1993–1996), later settling in Liverpool where he continues to work from his studio. His work has been widely exhibited, including the Chelsea International Fine Art Competition in New York (Finalist, 2007), exhibitions at the Harris Museum in Preston and the Williamson Art Gallery Wirral Open (prize winner in 2006 and 2008), and the Lancashire Open (2nd Prize, 2011). Solo exhibitions include Memoirs of a Pedestrian (Liverpool, 2009) and Learning to Walk (Warrington, 2013; Bolton, 2014). His work is held in private collections including Jake Bugg, Claire Rendall Design and John Lewis & Partners.
Nathan describes himself as neither purely abstract nor representational, instead working somewhere between the two. His paintings develop organically, guided by intuition rather than a fixed plan. Through building layers over time, colours and shapes gradually form their own associations and meaning. By stepping away and returning to works with fresh eyes, Nathan allows unexpected moments to shape the outcome, often recognising the painting is complete when it reaches a place that surprises him.
Can you describe your style of art?
Abstract Landscape.
Which medium do you work with and what do you like about it specifically?
Acrylic paint and charcoal. I especially like the fact that it dries to quickly as I don’t get much spare time to paint and this suits my method of painting which requires layers, this also means I can come back and work on the painting the next day. Most of my time painting is done during my dinner hour as I also work full time.
Can you talk us through your process? Do you begin with a sketch, or do you just go straight in? How long do you spend on one piece? How do you know when it is finished?
I usually start with a photograph that has been taken with the print composition in mind. My painting process is very much organic. I have done sketches and used parts of my studies in paintings (such as trees), but I do just tend to get stuck in with trying to create an aesthetically pleasing image which relates to a landscape. I can spend a total of 2 hours on a painting all the way up to 5 years, a painting is never finished I just stop and live with it for a while. The painting is very much in control not me, I am just the vehicle.
When did you begin your career in art?
I always liked art even as a kid, from colour competitions in the local newspaper up to designing posters for the school fete. Later on I would relish anything that involved drawing and studying Art and Design in High School inspired me to take the subject on after school. I went on to study art and design, and later painting at college and then was lucky enough to go to university.
Who or what inspires your art?
Everything and anything visual can end up in a painting, all painting is a portrait.
Why is art and creativity important to you?
It is a vocation. I must paint. It is what I am, and I am a painter. (Not to mention the fact I love to paint).
What do you gain from being a member with dot-art?
dot-art has always been easy to work with and enthusiastic towards the local art scene and myself as a painter, they enable me to show work in places I would not be showing my art in if I was not a member. I am forever grateful for their hard work and support in me as an artist.
What does it mean to be an artist in the Liverpool City Region?
I am not a painter that would call themselves a painter of Liverpool, in any way shape or form, but there must be an influence somewhere. I started in 1993 painting the urban environment, and continue to use what is around me even though it does not essentially come across as Liverpool. I am primarily a city boy, with family heritage in Salford and the North West as well as Liverpool so I have feelings for all of the North west area of England.
What are you working on at the moment?
Whilst I feel that I am happy with the more Landscape based paintings, I am planning a number of other project and hoping to widen my portfolio to cover some other ideas that I have. I have just started working on a series of small abstract paintings which feels very much a ‘getting back to my roots’ thing.
What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
Don’t be precious about your work, and don’t be scared of the blank canvas.
Discover more of Nathan’s work on our online shop!