Artist of the Month - July 2008 - Philip Dodd

Welcome to our Artist of the Month feature for July, and congratulations to Philip Dodd for being our selected artist.

Hi Philip - can you tell us a little about yourself, and how you got started as an artist?

I had studied art at secondary school but had not drawn or painted since then as my under-graduate and post-graduate studies demanded my time and energy. I borrowed my friend's acrylic set one saturday in June 2000 and tried something with some card and permanent rose paint.

I got hooked the same afternoon and bought my own gear the following saturday. I was 26 years old (I'm now 34). I have taught myself, and paint after work, in my spare time (I have worked full- time as a graphic designer since graduating in 1996). I paint mostly at night, as I have always been at my most creative from 8pm to 2am, and paint from photographs and memory.

What are you favourite subjects to paint?

I like painting subjects with a contrast of colours and textures. I keep returning to certain subjects now and then, trying out the same scene but changing the composition slightly or altering the technique. At the moment I'm drifting more towards abstract paintings than I normally would. One day I want to paint a lot more portraits and figure studies.

Do you have any advice for aspiring artists and photographers, or for those new to art?

Listen to yourself. Be honest. Ignore trends. Avoid critics who don't paint. Never clean your palette. Enjoy your mistakes; you will make a lot of them. Teach yourself; no one can teach you how to paint, the most you can learn is how other painters have painted, and then create your own method.

What do you hope people see in your work?

I hope that a viewer is able to understand my paintings through colour and texture and experience the same intuitive dialogue that I had creating them. When a viewer is able to articulate their reaction to my paintings in a circular way and keep looking at them, that's satisfying.

Who are your favourite artists, and are there any works in particular which have inspired you?

My favourite artist is Van Gogh. He has always provided rich inspiration in terms of colours and textures that I adore. His portraits are elegant and honest in equal measure, and I wish to paint people like that, as good as that, one day.

What painting, photograph or work of art do you wish you had produced?

The Sistine Chapel. I've never done a ceiling and would love to fill one with story and colour. To spend 4 years working non-stop full-time on only one project would be fantastic, day after day pouring story and emotion into one mammoth end piece.

Apart from your portfolio at artfair365, how do you promote your work - are you a member of any societies, and do you have any exhibitions planned?

I have my own website which holds a complete catalogue of my work. I am no longer part of a club or society as I wasn't getting much out of them (they tended to keep painting the same twee things in the same same twee style). No exhibitions planned. I honestly don't think I'm good enough to hold a solo exhibition, yet. I'm crap at self- promotion and would rather paint than spend time marketing myself, which partly explains why after 8 years I've sold very few paintings.

From your own portfolio, which are your favourite 3 artworks?

Sunflowers, 2006 - These three Sunflowers in a pot were the first good picture I painted at the new larger size I now work at (24"x18"). The painting also is a story of how I (the sunflower on the right) was ostracised by my so- called friend at the coersion of his latest partner (the fat sunflowers on the left).

Cat Death, 2005 - My cat died in an accident and this painting says what that felt like. Several friends say they cannot look at it for long because it scares them (I took that as a high compliment, especially as they keep looking away and then looking back it).

Daffodil, 2003 - I was feeling very much alone that year and that isolation came out in this painting.

Click here to view Philip's portfolio.

Artist of the Month for June - Helen Palmer

Artist of the Month for May - Leyla Murr

Artist of the Month for April - Jean Dayton

Artist of the Month for March - Victoria Stanway

Artist of the Month for February - Patrick Palmer

Artist of the Month for January - Caren Thompson

Artist of the Month for December - Simon Wild

Artist of the Month for November - Sally Bassett

Artist of the Month for October - Bill Jackson

Artist of the Month for September - Maureen Greenwood