Martin Davis
Martin Davis grew up in the coalfields of Derbyshire in the UK during the 1950’s and 60’s, painting and drawing from an early age - as soon as he could grasp a brush or pencil in fact. Undoubtedly a tough upbringing his art was a form of escapism in the early days and has always been a private passion, one he’s carried with him ever since childhood, through the 1970’s as a student and on into adult life.
He took the usual early career path from school in Shirebrook to university (only studying Art to GCE “O” level standard). He graduated from the University of Birmingham in 1976 with an honours degree in Economics and, instead of banking or the civil service, then spent the next 30 years in the UK Fire & Rescue service. Probably not the average way into art but he only turned fully to painting from 2008 after he retired from the service and found the time to devote to it.
In 2010 his work “First Light Dorsoduro” was shortlisted for the Art of Giving, National Art Competition at the Saatchi Gallery, London. Martin considers himself a modern traditionalist painter. His subject matter may vary, in so far as there is no consistent theme or thread running through his work, although he is always motivated by what may lie behind superficial appearances.
He says “My imagination is usually fired by something I find in everyday things, things that are often linked to a memory from the past. Sometimes just part of a remembered image-even a simple one like the way sunlight plays on a hat brim-is all it takes. For me there is a kind of strength, even beauty, inside everything if you look closely enough – it doesn’t have to be anything intrinsically pretty, or attractive or especially worthy of attention. In my experience quite often it is better if it isn’t.”
Martin is largely self taught and feels he is a student practicing art, probably he always will. He produces work in numerous different media but his heart lies in oils because of its plasticity and textural qualities, and that’s where he started. Perhaps because of his love of handling paint producing art for Martin has always been as much about the creative process itself as the end product.
His greatest hope is that his art might reach out to the observer, meaning something more than just a passing glance, or strike a chord within them they were perhaps unaware even existed. Showing his work means laying himself bare but it is something he has to do as it’s the only way to make a connection with others......but as he says “it’s not why I paint, it never was. Painting for me just calms the soul”.
Visit Martin at www.martindavisartist.co.uk.
