Alex Doyle

In conversation with Humph Hack - Curator

I asked Alex what were his first memories of making art.

“I would have to go back to when I was as young as 4 or 5 years old  - sketching on bits of paper and card”.  What did you draw? “It was anything in sight – usually domestic items around my home”.

Like many of the artists on the gallery, Alex chose not to pursue an arts education past art in the sixth form. “I am  essentially self-taught”.

Opinions vary about the benefits of higher education full-time art study. Most who carry on past 18 will tell you that the opportunity to spend the time, and even more importantly, the people they spent time with, was the biggest benefit to them.

You may have noticed how many musicians, comedians and writers studied art.

Alex starting to sell his work 7 years ago, “When I retired”.

As regard his choice of subject matter, Alex told me that, “It’s more like the subject matter chooses itself – for example I was walking along a beach and suddenly saw the inspiration for a painting in the patterns being made by the incoming surf”.

But when I look at his work, it’s clear that Alex  does have a fascination with the interaction light and reflection. “Which is why many of my paintings feature water, rain, sea, sun and moonlight”.

He prefers to work with acrylic paints. “I have tried various mediums, but I prefer the ease of use with acrylics”.

Some artists work directly onto the canvas. Some make numerous sketches before beginning. Others use their own , or other people’s photos, as a starting point.

Alex combines approaches. “My preference is working from my own photos, but I then usually sketch to canvas before painting”.

Of all artists he has looked at, J W Turner has inspired Alex the most, “But I had the privilege of meeting L S Lowry as a young child and that left a lasting impression”

Alex joined this gallery in 2024. “I just love to paint. Selling my work is a pleasant bonus and an opportunity to share my art with others”.

                                                                 Keep looking  -- he will be regularly adding new works

May 2025

Featured works

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