TRISTANOS81

I first started taking art seriously when I was 11 years old, having drawn a Golden Eagle in pencil. The end result helped distinguish my abilities where I grew in confidence and desire to develop further in art. My main inspiration at the time was through my Step Father who used the medium of watercolour to paint Fantasy landscapes and figures; mainly dragons that he carried out in his leisure time.

My main influences with respect to artists who mainly inspired the style of my artwork, were established at Astor Secondary school where I was mainly introduced to Lucian Freud at GCSE level. His thick use of oils and attention to the various colours and textures he applied in his work weren't flattering to the subject, but they did portray the subjects own individual features distinctively.

Other influences were the obvious Dali, where his dream like images were a good source to exercise the imagination and I find a certain surreal quality is identified in my own work as a result. German Expressionism and in particular, the work of Otto Dix I find moving. I get a good sense of horror but also an emotion I feel I can't find anywhere else in this world.

Having decided that my destiny lay with animation in my early twenties, I undertook a BA Hons degree in Film and Video where I graduated in 2004. Although this has taken me away from Fine Art, I feel this has given me additional knowledge with familiar approaches to setting up a composition and experimentation with different mediums such as film and cellular sheets for animation.

I am now painting commissions and also publishing prints of my work to share with the world. Feel free to experience my work and share your thoughts