Guild of Aviation Artists – My Journey from Realism to Abstract Aviation Art
The story of how a pilot and aviation artist left realism behind to paint the emotions and sensations of flying and his experiences with The Guild of Aviation Artists.
From Accuracy to Emotion
I painted realism for several years as a new painter at pains to get it to look right. In time I could describe aircraft and their settings well but something was missing, I was observing and painting what I saw, I was not participating. My work was describing aircraft not how it feels to be flying one. I steadily let myself be less and less accurate and my work became more expressive as I experienced the freedom that comes with abstraction. I was flying again!
Now I paint the feel of flying - the emotions that come with it: elation, wonder, aloneness even anxiety.
I can still vividly recall moments such as demonstrating spin recovery to a student. The surge of excitement, the concentration and the sheer exhilaration of the lesson - those emotions to me are priceless and I wanted to feel them in my art and to share with others, realism could not enable that.
From my memories and imagination I make expressive shapes, and add personal colour to relive the experience and make it visible to viewers of art.
My journey with the Guild of Aviation Artists.
The irresistable combination of aviation and painting led me inevitably to The Guild of Aviation Artists. It opened many doors and with other enthusiasts I'd sit and paint aircraft in hangers, museums, at airshows or anywhere there were aircraft. I got expert tuition on details such as the challenge of painting propellers accurately. In time I was accepted to exhibit with the Guild in London.
An early painting of mine that was well received for its accuracy - The Fairy Swordfish
I thoroughly enjoyed the friendly competition on whose painting was the most accurate but my work was moving away from realism.
My reputation and praise reduced steadily but my work became more and more expressive .
My paintings became less and less acceptable to the Guild and I made the decision to leave and follow my different path.
Paintings like the two above did not fit with The Guild of Aviation Artists decision makers and that was understandable - the connection with aviation cannot be immediately identified. To me they are about flying in uncertain weather and being bombarded with reflections from the windshield.
After a while I noticed some artists with the Guild were painting more freely and my enquiries led me to rejoining. Abstraction had some place with the Guild and I was encouraged by the leader to submit some pieces to the Annual Open in The Mall Gallery London. I was delighted when they were accepted.
Pick up the wing - Runway 13
These different aviation paintings had their own gallery!
The Mall Gallery in London is a wonderful place to view art, it is spacious with two large viewing areas. As my work was different from the other artists' paintings it was displayed in one room along with a few other abstract aviation paintings.
I have been painting abstract aviation paintings for over thirty years so please if you wish to...
Flying has influenced much of my artwork
I have passions other than aviation that inspire my art and they are viewable here - all are original abstract paintings. View paintings about my hatred of war and my concern for the environment. Each piece reflects my continuing search for that certain feeling - something beyond words.Looking back, leaving realism was one of the best decisions I ever made. The Guild taught me accuracy, discipline and observation, but it also helped me discover something much more valuable—my own artistic voice.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this post, I have others that may be of interest ...