Simon Gilmartin

Artistic background

I started painting in my early teens, inspired by those brilliant Nancy Kominsky paint along shows that used to be on the TV in the long Summer holiday mornings. To this day I never use black paint, (if you know you know).

I went on the complete an Art & Design Foundation course and a BA in Contemporary Applied arts at Manchester Metropolitan University.

After Uni, I worked for David Mellor (the product designer not the Tory MP), Habitat and then I had a 15 year career with HSBC, designing and delivering training.

I didn't paint for two decades, life, work and family meant there wasn't really any time for 'hobbies'. I was inspired to pick up a brush again by the 2012 London Olympics. I painted outside the stadium as spectators wrapped in Union Jack flags left the site. This painting sold quickly and the buyer sent me a photo of it hanging on their wall. This was such a buzz.

Since then I have painted in in fits and starts, whenever busy life and work has allowed. I have been lucky enough to sell lots of paintings through gallery websites and open exhibitions. Now semi-retired I am looking forward to being able to spend more time doing the thing I love the most, making art.

I usually paint in acrylics, using brushes and pallet knives. Subjects are drawn from the Derbyshire countryside where I live, and from my travels in Europe and beyond.

Paintings are supplied framed in a simple white frame unless stated otherwise in the listing.