Painting inspires me, from the moment an idea is born through the process of development, until the moment I sense the journey has come to an end. I enjoy the feel of the paint, even the spring of a hog’s hair brush as it spreads its load on canvas, is a wonderful feeling.

Inspiration can come from the colour of an object – I do love colour – a situation, a turn of a head, the interaction between two people or the wonderful landscape here in Herefordshire. Drawing is an integral part of what I do, I love the boldness of graphite contrasted with the subtlety of watercolour pencils. I love experimenting.

I am not an artist who has found a niche and then continues to plough that furrow. Rather, I work with a series of ideas, mediums or methods until I have exhausted them, then I move on. There is so much to explore in this world of ours.

I have been teaching art courses now for over 8 years at 5 different centres in the West Midlands and abroad. I enjoy meeting new people and hopefully inspiring them to paint and draw. I am a firm believer in the fact that anyone can draw and paint, no matter what that art teacher said many years ago. It really is all about confidence and building confidence is one of the main aims of my courses, as well as having fun and learning a lot.

Paul Priestley

Exhibitions

2009 Herefordshire Art Open Studio

2009 Forge Gallery, Eardisley

2008 Herefordshire Art Open Studio

2007 “Inspired by the Shires” Whittingham Hall, Worcester

2007 Herefordshire Art Open Studio

2007 ‘Art in a Box’, Courtyard, Hereford

2007 The Library, Leominster

2006 Lion Gallery, Leominster

2006 School House Gallery, Leintwardine

2006 Herefordshire Art Open Studio

2005 Herefordshire Art Open Studio

1997 Southend Open Exhibition

1996 Southend Open Exhibition

1994 Southend Open Exhibition

1992 Southend Open Exhibition

1991 Southend Open Exhibition

1990 Southend Open Exhibition

1989 Southend Open Exhibition

1988 Southend Open Exhibition

1987 Southend Open Exhibition

My Background

I was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire some time last century. In my early years, I became the proud owner of a Blue Peter badge, won for a poster I designed of Bradford’s City Hall. Spurred on by this monumental achievement, I went off to Stockwell College and emerged some years later as an art teacher.

I ran a very successful Art Department in Southend for over ten years, before taking the momentous decision to leave teaching and move to Herefordshire. Shortly after arriving I set up my own art business: Filbert Arts. For the past eight years I have flourished, running my own unique painting and drawing courses at venues in Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Worcestershire and for institutions including HSBC, Land Rover, Thames Water, Appletizer and the Farncombe Estate.

'Waiting' 2009, watercolour painting