Magic Slim - Rough diamond blues. Painting

Born, Croydon, South London 1953. While still at school became interested in photography. At age 16 in 1969 started photographic career as studio assistant with local portrait studio. Over a 30 year career he has worked in most aspects of the trade including Industrial, Advertising, Architectural and Reportage, taking equal interest in both taking photographs and the many possibilities of darkroom techniques. In mid 2012 I began to paint, discovering a passion for Abstract art, finding inspiration with the infinate possibilities for experimentation with different materials and techniques. I found the skills used in photography, such as seeing a picture as much as creating it, an openness to different techniques and shameless improvisation, much to my surprise directly transferable to the creation of abstract art. For me a successful painting is one which re-creates with true authenticity the forces of nature i.e. that seen in physics, chemistry and biology. An outline to my artistic philosophy--- My aim is to re-create the physical universe in artistic form. I approach my work in the same spirit of the alchemist, experimenting with different pigments, materials and techniques. A perceptive critic has recently descibed my paintings as "a careful balance of accident and design" I can't think of a better description. Art and artists I like- Pollock, Kandinsky, Van Gough, Hopper, Hockney, Art nouveau, Art deco graphics and sculpture, Chinese and Japanese watercolours. Matt cartoons. I favour pretentiousness over mediocrity . I'm also moved to create by music and musicians that resonate with me. For me the best artist of all is the great cosmos itself . No person is capable of producing pictures and sculptures of such beauty and awesomeness. All my paintings are sold ready to hang, either direct on a framed canvas, or mounted on a wooden base or frame. No frame is necessary as the edges are always part of the picture. However some do have a frame as an integral part of the artwork.