Slideshow

  • LS075 Goat Fell
  • A007 Orange Grove
  • A012 Beach holiday
  • BD036 Salisbury Cathedral in Spring
  • SS048 Sandbank
  • A011 Blue Bay
  • A010 Rapeseed in Woodford Valley
  • A009 Cherry Trees in Provence
  • A008 Olive Grove
  • A005 Chianti Vines
  • LS073 Merchant of Venice
  • LS072 Poppies at Monteriggioni

    PAUL RYDER – ARTIST’S PROFILE

    I’ve lived in Salisbury over 30 years. I’m an active member of the Salisbury Group of Artists and Plain Arts. As a self-taught artist, I have always had a passion for drawing and painting. I started sketching in my late teens during my travels around the world in the merchant navy. Moving on to a hectic shore-based business role for 34 years, the extensive world-wide travel kept me away from the palette. Retirement however meant I could once again pursue my art.

    I work mainly in acrylic and oils to paint buildings, landscapes, seascapes, and occasionally portraits. My style ranges from very detailed work for buildings with tiny brushes, which take several weeks, through to a more open style with a palette-knife or even a two-inch brush for some land and seascapes. I like the randomness with the palette-knife where the merging colours lead to surprises. I guess my speciality though is my architectural work. We are really blessed in Salisbury, with so many beautiful buildings in and around the Close providing subjects for my work.

    I’m in the process of experimenting with a more abstract technique for landscape and seascape art to broaden my skills and portfolio range. I love the freedom of expression and the uncertainty of where your thoughts and ultimately the picture will take you. Portrait painting also fascinates me. I find that creating an image, a face which comes to life on a canvas, particularly pleasing.

    My inspiration comes from many sources, a spectrum of variation. I admire so many artists - from the finesse and detailed works of the Renaissance artists to the bold, vibrant, expressive, more freestyle work of artists such as Van Gogh, one of my favourites. 

    Understandably travel and nature provide an endless variety of inspiration. Travels in Provence and Tuscany in particular have provided a rich vein of subject matter for many of my paintings. Nature too, with the unpredictable, powerful forces of the wind and sea movement, has influenced my seascapes. Cloud formation and sky colour fascinate me so I build up a stock of photographs to use for land and seascapes.

    Why do I paint? – Because it takes me to a relaxing place where I get absorbed into the mysteries of creativity; the challenges of working with colour of every sort, and the satisfying sense of achievement. I see painting as a life-long project full of endless opportunity. Art fills my mind with ideas and the intrigue of constantly looking for new subjects to paint. I now try and paint every day if I can, even if it’s just for 10 minutes.

    I regularly exhibit at local exhibitions organised by the Salisbury Group of Artists, Plain Arts, or other groups.