A Passion for Africa Artwork

I am a 56-year-old gay man from a working-class background, living in Greater Birmingham, UK. I began creating by writing books and screenplays. I turned to painting in 2013 when a 9 year relationship ended. My evenings became lonely so I painted to fill an empty space. I suffer with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Depression and Anxiety, I am also Dyslexic. My disabilities give me the ability to visualize complex images. I paint what I feel about what I see rather than merely what I see. I am telling stories with my paintings. It is for the observer to decide what the story is. It may be different things to different people. It was recently put to me by the buyer of my artwork, The Price of Sugar, that I often (not always) deal with emotive and hard-hitting issues with a touch of humor. I think he is right. I have sold a number of originals. Most recently I sold my oil painting, A Royal Dilemma to a professional collector/ art dealer in Texas, United Sates, via Saatchi Art, also I have sold The Victorian Policeman, via Saatchi Art to a professional collector/ art dealer in Montreal, Canada, and The Price of Sugar, to a professional collector/art dealer in London, UK. I have sold a number of works locally through exhibitions at a nearby stately home and the Art Yard Gallery. I have sold over 100 prints to date to members of the public in the UK, Canada, USA, Australia, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Italy, and France. On Friday 24th February, a collector from Scotland visited my at home and after viewing my work purchased. Adrift, Stonewall 1969 and Rainbow Bird. I am honored by the compliment paid me. I create three types of art. Political, LGBTQ and art that is created just because it is pretty and would look good on a wall. I work in oil paints on canvas board and also work in mixed media. Some of my artwork doesn't really fit into a defined category. It is sculpture on canvas board, using all types of materials, such as, plastic, wood, bark, glitter, fabrics, sand and metal foils. Creation process: 1. I have to create the image in my head as none are copies from other sources such as photos. I may however, take dimensions, such as size relationships from other sources. 2. My work is handmade by me. There is no one else involved in the process what-so-ever. (Many of the “greats” employ teams of artist and they simply sign the art with their name). I don’t do this. I create myself! 3. I spend time on creating, many hours.