Mike Smith

I am an artist working from my own studio in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK. I like to capture either what I see as an image in my head or the reality of a person sitting in front of me in a painting to give it a permanent presence. I am drawn to nature and the human form and the way a depiction of light in a painting can create both emotion and the illusion of 3D form on a two dimensional surface. My work is a contemporary, realist and figurative style. Alongside my painting I am also a musician and an experienced photographer. In both my music and my painting, I enjoy the traditional values of technique and skill in execution, and either pleasure from a beautiful image or the stimulating experience of playing live music. My instrument of choice is the Hurdy Gurdy. This instrument requires great concentration, attention to detail, and like my paintings need endless fine tuning and adjustment for satisfactory results. I feel I have always been an artist. I started drawing when I was a small child. I think I drew mainly fish and animals. After going to art college, I ended up experimenting with basketmaking, working with English willow, making all sorts of baskets for logs, shopping and also a hot air balloon basket for Cameron ba...

Bath Academy of Art, Corsham, Wiltshire, UK. 1968 - 1971. Qualified with a Diploma in Art and Design in Ceramics.

Exhibitions in London, Bath, Cirencester.