Artist: Reuben Colley
Title: The Sandbar (canvas)
Size: 12" x 19˝"
Edition Size: Artist Hand Signed and Numbered Limited Edition to 75
Medium: Silkscreen
About the Artist: HISTORY & BACKGROUND

I was encouraged to start drawing and painting from an early age by my art teacher.

At school I adopted a large part of the art room, gaining 100% at GCSE and A* at A Level, even though I failed two other subjects due to commitment to art.

After leaving school I studied for a BTEC National Diploma in Art And Design at Bournville Art College, Birmingham and on successful completion of this course in 1995 I enrolled at The University Of Wolverhampton for three years, where I gained a BA Honours in ‘Fine Art’ specialising in painting.

It was in Wolverhampton that I learned the practise of going into the studio every day to paint, living as an artist.

After graduating I organised and set up a few small shows in bars and clubs around Birmingham and Manchester. Although they all sold out I still found I needed a regular income to support myself and my painting. This is when I joined ‘The Halcyon Gallery’ as a framer in their warehouse.

Seeing all the art passing through my hands as a framer I became re-invigorated and encouraged to start painting a wider variety of subjects again.

I had purposely left a few of my paintings around the workshop and eventually, as I had hoped, one of my colleagues showed them to Glyn Washington who who promptly arranged a viewing with me. The response that I received from him was so positive exceeding all my expectations. It was this response that inspired me to continue painting and provided me with new wealth of confidence.

In the two years since joining Washington Green I have developed more as an artist than ever before.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF

I can honestly say that I have never been so committed to anything else as I am now.

I consider painting to be much more than a job or a career - it is a lifestyle. I am never ‘not’ a painter.

My days vary between time painting in the studio and time out collecting reference.

Most of my time is spent in the studio, although most reference trips are spontaneous, when I feel that the light and conditions are appropriate.

I travel all over England to visit friends, and combine this with going out painting and collecting reference on my mountain bike. On a successful day I know exactly why I love being a painter.

Trips abroad have included Barbados and Kuredu in The Maldives.

I do rely heavily on good reference, as I do not believe a natural feel and atmosphere can be achieved without actually witnessing the subject.

I also enjoy spending time in my studio which is my own space. I can often be in there for thirteen to fourteen hours a day, with just my music and my fantastic view of Birmingham from my window.

On rare nights I decide to have off I still find myself looking at work in progress to remind myself of what has to be done next.