Landscape painter Andrew Gifford and I sat down after his lecture at Verndean University to discuss his career, inspirations and artistic vision. Here’s what he said…
Me: Would you like to introduce yourself?
Gifford: My name is Andrew Gifford. He is an artist primarily known for his landscape paintings. He was born in 1970 and attended Newcastle College of Art in 1994.
M: When did you start thinking about painting as a career?
G: That’s an interesting question. I’ve been drawing since I was three years old, but they were just small drawings. When I was around 15 years old, I started selling drawings of little birds to my parents’ friends. Oddly enough, I had my professional experience as a veterinarian in this aviary. I didn’t know if it was the birds that interested me or if I was drawing birds. Eventually I decided to set up a foundation in York and decided I wanted to be an artist. Then I went to Newcastle. I fell in love with this gallery called John Martin Gallery at first sight, so I became a professional artist pretty early on.
M: Are there any influential people in your life who helped you pursue your career?
G: Of course! My 6th grade art teacher was Mr. Corbin. I didn’t get into Newcastle the first time I applied, and when I was about to reapply, I submitted my illustration of James and the Giant Peach to a printmaking teacher called Chris Woods. And he said, “Giff, you can be a great artist. Go out and paint what’s around you.” So I became a landscape painter. And obviously my parents supported me. And then meeting my gallerist John Martin – I met him when I was 26 and I’m still at that gallery.
M: Why do you paint landscapes in particular?
G: Maybe I was just in the landscape tradition and looking at the work of Turner and people like that. We had all these paintings in the house, including prints of Van Gogh and early Picasso and Utrillo. I used to watch them as a kid and it had a big impact on me. I grew up outside Middlesbury in North Yorkshire and the scenery there is absolutely stunning. It instilled in my bones a kind of blueprint for painting landscapes. Now I paint nature, but I don’t think I wanted to start working on it seriously until I was good enough. I think about four years ago I thought, “Yeah, I’m probably good enough to draw.” Nature now. hoping. “
M: Do you have any advice for young artists just starting out?
G: I would probably say, always listen to everything. As a young artist, absorb as much as you can. If possible, bring a sketchbook. Draw as many pictures as you can of your parents, yourself, and your friends. Above all, try to be yourself. I was successful as an artist because I had the courage to do what I wanted to do, not what was popular. It’s good to do everything together while you’re a student because it keeps things topical, but don’t do things too much together. Because the art world is a very competitive world when things get tough if you end up copying other artists who happen to be famous at the time. Because if you’re not doing it for yourself, it’s easy to get lost. . On the other hand, if you’re doing what you want to do, the art you make will come back to you and pay for itself a little bit. Do you understand what I’m saying?
Man: Yes.
G: Another important thing is to go to a lot of art galleries. Always be surrounded by great art, sketch in art galleries, look at as many photos as you can on your phone, etc. That’s really all.
Man: That’s good. Thank you very much!
G: Thank you.
(End of interview)