John Boyce, Artist
Tell us a bit about your childhood years?
Until I was 21 (in 1959) I lived in Plymouth, going to school, followed by an apprenticeship as an engineering shipwright and going to college. Living by the sea, a love of the sea and boats was inbred. I always looked forward to going to my Grandfather’s house – he had original paintings and his own still life drawings lining the walls and that was unusual in our family at the time. We always went on holiday to places like Mevagissey, Polperro and of course Brixham. Brixham has always been seen as the ‘poor relation’ of all the smart harbour and seaside villages, but for me, it always had a certain charm – I suppose it’s because it is what it is, a working quay with working boats and fisher men and women.
Was there any other career before painting professionally?
After finishing college, I became an engineer at the Plymouth Power Station, but still avidly painting in my spare time. It was at that time I was accepted at Plymouth Arts Society – these were heady days for me, meeting other artists and getting involved with exhibitions.
Unfortunately, my job moved me to the Midlands but I kept painting part-time. I am basically self taught but my draughting and design skills were a big help with sketching and perspective and I soon gained confidence to experiment style and all the different mediums.
Was there any defining point that made you decide painting was what you wanted to do?
In 1985 the power station closed down and at that point I decided to take the plunge and paint instead of moving to another power plant – it was one of those ‘now or never’ moments. I just wanted to be involved in the art world. I’ve painted for as long as I can remember, but never had the opportunity to paint as a career.
Who or what was instrumental in your decision to paint professionally?
I ran a gallery at first in Stourport selling local artists’ work, and as time went by, I began selling my paintings to the agents that were trying to sell paintings to me for the gallery! As demand increased for my paintings I felt that this was the time for me to paint full time and I sold the gallery.
Where are your favourite places to paint?
My favourite places are obviously near the sea; despite the fact that now I live in the Midlands. I visit Dartmouth, Brixham and Cornwall every year and I will never tire of these places; full of life and inspiration for my paintings. Due to time and weather pressures outdoor painting is difficult, but when I can – it’s exhilarating and uplifting. Tell us about your painting technique.
My painting technique has evolved from the fact that I have to work from photos and sketches, due to limited time at the scene. My main objective is to get the tones correct and to this end I always do an overpainting in monochrome first. Once I am happy with this, colour is then added, usually limiting colours to 4 or 5 to maintain cohesion. Whilst there are basic rules in composition, I think, with experience you can sense when it looks right and is not overworked or losing integrity.
What was the ‘best of times’ and ‘the worst of times’ in your painting career?
I don’t think in these terms because the worst times are usually when you learn the most and lead to the supposed ‘good times’!
What medium do you prefer and why?
Over the years, my preference to which medium has changed. I used watercolour initially and in fact became a member of the Birmingham Watercolour Society. However, I then moved to a more forgiving medium, gouache (which I still use for sketches) and then on to oils and acrylics. My tip to any artist would be to try different mediums to appreciate other artists’ works.
Which artists have influenced you?
I admire lots of artists – traditional painters and contemporary but the Norfolk painter Edward Seago (1910 – 1974) was amazing and has inspired me for years. Also, Edward Wessons the watercolourist (1910 – 1983) is another as he conveyed so much with just a few strokes of the brush.
What ‘living’ painter do you admire most and why?
John Yardley is a living artist who paints with beautiful economy and simplicity. I love his paintings as I do those of Tom Coates who makes the ordinary extraordinary.
If you are not painting, what do you enjoy?
DIY! I find is absorbing and satisfying, having recently built a studio at the house and I am very involved with my three children who have now left home.
What’s your connection with Dartmouth outside the Dart Gallery?
Dartmouth is a joy to all my family – young and old. We’ve been coming here since the ‘50s and have seen it through different times but whenever we are here it’s always full of atmosphere and painting opportunities, Dittisham is my recent favourite subject, back to the easel and oils!
First Published March 2009 By The Dart