Tim Clarke

Aged 14 I found a book on Leonardo da Vinci and was amazed. My life had no direction at that point. Leonardo gave me direction and meaning in life. I wondered if I too could create awe in art like him. My life has been dedicated to that aim.
To begin I copied Leonardo's drawing and the works of other artists. I also worked from photographs and had natural ability from the outset. I practised for about 30 years in paintings on paper. Then in my forties a huge turning point occurred when I began drawing dancer addressed as having learning difficulties. They were brilliant, full of dynamic, ingenious, simple yet profound movement. I felt their were expressing deep humanity. We were both ripe at the same time. Being obliged to draw at great speed all sorts of wonderful surprises kept occurring. These drawings are an important source for my work to this day.
About 14 years I began oil painting on canvas and now am committed to this classic form of painting. I make my own canvases and Oil Ground. The Renaissance remains an important source of inspiration to me. I love their complexity, composition, backgrounds, symbolism and mystery. I continue to search for the element of awe, implying there is more here than meets the eye. In life an...

Stourbridge Art College - Foundation 1974
Cheltenham Art College - BA Fine Art 1975/8
Trent Polytechnic - MA Fine Art 1986/8

Kidderminster Art Gallery Solo 1979
Various group and solo exhibitions followed most notably with:-
Maureen O'Donoughue at Gallery Duncan Terrace, London
and with Leah Hester at Art Co (now Hester Gallery), Leeds
I made no attempt to exhibit after my exhibition for The North York Moors National Park Authority as their Lyke walk Walk artist.
In 2023 I was included in an online exhibition 'What I would have missed' St Petersburg, Florida
in 2024 I was included in an online exhibition with Omi Gallery, London
In 2025 I was included in an online exhibition with Art boxy
at BASEL ART WEEK