Artist of the Month - October 2008 - Dennis Thompson

Welcome to our Artist of the Month feature for October, and congratulations to Dennis Thompson for being our selected artist.

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

Well, my path to being an artist did not start very well! At school I was thrown out of my art class because I didn't want to paint still life and was concentrating on my own ideas! However I continued my interest in art and painting though never pursued it as more than a hobby. Around 2003 I bought an SLR camera from Ebay for Ł5 to use with a telescope with the idea of photographing stars.

I had never been into photography before and when I tested the old camera to make sure it worked I was really surprised by how good (accidentally!) some of the photos came out. So I started teaching myself more through books and the internet, joined a photography club where I won lots of competitions and have stuck with it since then. To start with I was developing all my work in a spare room converted into a dark room, but soon went digital which gives me far more control over the images I produce.

What are you favourite subjects to photograph?

I like to take pictures of ordinary objects in the main, the original image is not always important, but I then take that image and try to make it into something special - perhaps like ugly ducklings?!

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

I think it can be difficult at times but you need to stick to your own style, enjoy it, and as long as you are pleased with what you are producing then that's all that matters. Try to get your work seen in as many places as you can and then just look forward to your first sale!

What do you hope people see in your work?

Perhaps to see beauty in the ordinary, and although my current work has an underlying message it is just great to see people going back for another look to work out exactly what they are seeing. Nothing better for me than people taking the time to view my work.

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

I love many of the obvious artists such as Van Gogh and Monet for their use of colour, but I really like Anish Kapoor's sculptures that have you walking around looking at all angles and seeing different effects.

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

Behind Saint-Lazare Station - Paris 1932 by Henri Cartier-Bresson - The photo of a man stepping out into water - can't work out if this photo was set up but it amazes me every time I see it!

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 website www.rocketfoot.co.uk as well as some other online galleries where I show my work. I have submitted work to the National Portrait Gallery and have a number of exhibitions coming up - please see my website for more details.

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

They would have to be Exhibit D2 (Pin the tail on the donkey), Exhibit B1 (Penknife), and Exhibit M3 (Teapot), though it's becoming difficult to choose as my portfolio grows!

Click here to view Dennis's portfolio.

Artist of the Month for September - Stewart Mechem

Artist of the Month for August - Geoffrey Dawson

Artist of the Month for July - Philip Dodd

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