Artist Outlook with Gavin Dobson
While 2021 hasn’t got off to the best start but, we’re determined to think positively and look forward to the year ahead! We’ve been chatting to one of our artists Gavin Dobson. Scroll down to hear all about Gavin’s outlook for the year, take a peek at all the new work he’s just released with us and if you’re a budding artist then read all about how to get started!
Calling Back by Gavin Dobson
One-Off Original
£295 unframed
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| Gavin is a London based artist. Initially training in Fine Art at Middlesex University he likes to capture an element of movement within his pieces and so often uses paints and inks as his final layer to give each print a more individual feel. A big fan of Graphic Novels and American comic books of the 1980’s in particular, he enjoys experimenting with lots of styles and techniques which help deliver and visually tell the strongest story. |
Laundry Day by Gavin Dobson
One Off Original
£295 unframed
Alongside the obvious steps forward with the situation that we are all facing currently, I am feeling positive about this year artistically. I think it’s always important to keep upbeat when it comes to your own practice (or life in general). My humour is quite self-deprecating, but I think it’s vital to remember your own self-worth and uniqueness because no one else can do what you can do, and although I am as guilty as anyone with comparing myself or my work with others, that drive to keep creating new pieces with new narratives really keeps me uplifted and positive. Even on darker days I find I can use art to explain how I am feeling which can be difficult to put to words. The act of painting itself I find keeps me both happy but opens lots of threads to explore creatively.
So, in short, I am positive for all the new ideas I can create and how exciting the arts scene itself will be when everything will be up and running. I think it’s going to be really thriving so many artists will have created so much exciting work and hopefully the wider audience will realise how important art has been through these trying times.
I Just Need A Moment by Gavin Dobson
One Off Original
£295 unframed
It’s cliche but it really is a case of doing. A blank canvas is always the hardest part, like a new page in a diary, I think people can be very precious with it, and for me being precious stifles my freedom to create something which is as good as it can be. It locks me into trying to make sure it’s perfect immediately. So, I always say scruff it up or throw paint on it, or doodle over everything. Even an initial idea can grow massively for me if I take away that pressure .
I would also say create for yourself first. It’s difficult to try and grab on to a so-called ‘popular theme’ or try and steer your artwork towards something which ‘will sell’. Over time I think you get an idea what personally is popular within your own artwork, but I always think the enjoyment of doing the piece will come across to the viewer. My advice is don’t over analyse your own art or you possibly won’t ever think it’s good enough.
Also as mentioned earlier I have been working on canvases which have been a lot of fun to do as I am finding the images themselves without prior planning. Here are a few examples which are just finished.
Leaving The Hot Tub by Gavin Dobson
One Off Original
£295 unframed
On a practical level I’m very grateful that no family member or friend has been affected too badly by the virus. I got my art studio upstairs at Printclub with Absorb arts just prior to lockdown and it has been a great space to think and reflect about what I do, and allowed me a place to create. I’m very grateful for that. Having a studio space has increased my productivity and gave me a place to play with art. I think the whole year has been an opportunity ,where possible, to allow take stock and really see what’s important in my craft.
