NEW WORK by JOHN GOOCH – LANDSCAPES
Summer Exhibition
“I have been painting now for about fifteen years. Initially I spent several years trying to master the art of watercolour painting and began using oil paint when I enrolled on a Fine Art degree course at Glyndwr University. I was able to complete my degree over four years as a part time student whilst working shifts in a factory. I still felt I had much to learn, so I enrolled for an M.A., taking a further two and a half years to complete. I used this opportunity to explore a particular aspect of landscape painting which interested me – the differences between painting in the studio and painting outdoors directly from nature. Although much of my work at present is completed in the studio, I feel it is still important to begin each piece out of doors. This usually involves drawing or painting and allows me to experience the elements and the sensations of being outdoors. This ultimately feeds into the finished work and gives me some sort of focus on what the painting is about. I am very fortunate to live in Llangollen where I am only minutes away from beautiful scenery. Despite this I am really inspired by the rugged landscapes of Snowdonia and the coast of Anglesey. Here the light and weather combine with the landscape to create dramatic and spectacular events which I try to put onto canvas. Whilst working I am always looking for creative ways to use the paint to find an interesting way of depicting the subject. My aim in the future is to work increasingly out of doors to gain a more spontaneous and energetic response to the landscape.”