about
DAVID FAWCETT is a self-taught artist, working in acrylic.
Working with acrylic paint on board and canvas, David has been producing art since the early 1990s.
In conversation, before a recent show, David said “I was born in Barry, South Wales, and I’ve loved drawing and painting from childhood.
Mum and Dad encouraged me to paint, and I entered local painting competitions from an early age. I remember selling my first drawing, for 10 pence, to a boy in my class. It was of the Battle of Hastings.
I probably would have gone to art school after finishing my “A levels” but my dad’s business was failing, so my parents advised me to keep art as a hobby, and do a degree which would get me a good job.
I ended up doing law and, of course, loved every minute!
I kept the painting up though, and in the absence of any formal training developed my own style.
I love trying to harmonise colours and, over the years, this has been my predominant goal. If I can get the colours working well on the canvas, that’s a particularly big part of the painting for me. If a balance between colours is successfully achieved, then I think that has a huge impact on how well a painting holds the eye.
I’ve increasingly developed an observational theme to my work. I don’t paint from life as such but try to key into memories: from growing up, from family life, from working in an office in London, commuting etc.
Body shapes and expressions fascinate me. If I can inject a bit of humour into the image, that’s an added bonus.
I love trying to find a succinct title, to convey a scene, or give it a context which isn’t necessarily obvious from a first look. If the title strikes a chord, it often really helps influence the perception of the image.
Over the years I’ve enjoyed being involved in some interesting projects with my art. I provided the artwork for an album cover of The Bluetones, been selected for one of the postcards at a Royal Academy summer exhibition [‘Discussing Beryl’s Bypass’], provided artwork for designs on a Ted Baker limited-edition washbag, mobile phone cover and holdall range.
It’s obviously enjoyable and rewarding to have my work exhibited and collected, to hear what people think about it, and enjoy about it. Painting is still very much my escape and passion though, and that is the main thing – for me – at the end of the day. I love going into the studio after a week doing the day job!”
“I hope you enjoy my work.”
