Open Studio event over and a great success. A big thankyou to all that popped in. To those that asked about a bright pink plant and were told it was a weigela, my apologies. I think it is more likely to be an escallonia!
In Bath Society Exhibition until May 19th.
Simon
of
This website is designed as an introduction with contact details, dates of exhibitions and details of outlets where original work is on display and for sale.
Bath Society of Artists Annual Exhibition
until the 19 May 2012; two pieces of work accepted
Larkhall Open Studios 2012
All over and a great success. Already thinking about what I will do next year!
Thankyou for taking the time to visit my pixel sketchbook which is designed as an introduction to my work as a painter. It is an ever changing book of drawings, paintings, events and ideas materializing from Hillview Studio in Bath. Whilst the sketchbook is not designed to be a 'sales' catalogue' if any images interest you please give me a ring or email me and I can let you know whether it is still for sale; where it is available and what the cost is. No prices are given simply because nothing is set in stone. I also undertake some commissions and the sketchbook will give you some idea of the scope of my work.
Born in London, I have lived and worked in Bath for over 20 years but I've sketched and painted for as long as I can remember. When younger, I was pictured in several newspapers sketching local events. However, I followed a career in the building industry, working as an architect until 1999 when the lure of brush and pencil became greater than that of computers, paperwork and committees.
As a painter, I am completely self-taught since school. My own technique has developed by visiting galleries and studying the work of J.M.W. Turner; the watercolourists of the 18th & 19th centuries and the oil paintings of The Impressionists; in other words the work I most admire. Nevertheless, this is simply a starting point and like many painters I take my inspiration from anywhere I find it to develop my own work. I don't like standing still but with any painting I endeavour to produce a sense of place and atmosphere on the skeleton of a good composition. Not ground breaking; no doubt very traditional but with the objective of being fine art and this artist's record of our environment today.
I concentrate on what I relate to most readily, namely buildings, townscapes and the landscape. Dictated to by time, practicalities and mood, my way of working when completing a finished piece is varied. It may either involve taking memories and sketches (drawings, paintings, photographs) back to the studio or occasionally I complete work en-pleine air. Most often it is a combination of the two methods. I currently work in pencil, charcoal, watercolour and oils.
I've now been a member of SAA (Society for All Artists- see www.saa.co.uk ) for a number of years and hope to join other societies as time goes on. For details of societies & galleries where work can currently be seen go to the Gallery section. For more details about my background see curriculum vitae.
As part of a group of artists in Larkhall, I open up my studio during The Larkhall Festival (see www.larkhallopenstudios.weebly.com) but I am always happy to let people visit by prior arrangement. I have also been invited to meet local art groups to discuss my work, their work and to swap thoughts. I emphasise however that I am not a teacher and that there are those better equipped to teach technique but that I am happy to discuss my approach to painting and show work at various stages of completion.
If you want to know more, drop me a line sometime. Always glad to chat if not in the middle of a watercolour! (see contact details.)
Simon
Back to beginning1977-81 Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff
B.sc Architectural Science 1st Class Honours
B.Arch (Wales) Distinction
1992-1993 West of England University, Bristol
M.Sc Construction Management
1978 Winner of Welsh Measured Drawing Competition
1979 Represented Welsh School of Architecture in National Drawing Competition
1979-82 London Architectural Practice
1984 Architects Registration Council of The United Kingdom
1985 Royal Institute of British Architects
1983-1991 Bath & Frome Architectural Practice (Associate & Partner)
1993-1996 Yeovil, Oxford & London Architectural Practice (Associate)
1996 Winner of Design Competition for New Glastonbury Library
1996-1999 Private Architectural Practice (Bath)
2000 onwards- Invited artist at Le Corre Gallery, Bradford on Avon
2009 Commended in Bath Prize Competition, The Octagon, Bath
2010 SAA Artist of The Year in The Building Category
2010 Commended in Bath Prize Exhibition, The Octagon, Bath
2010 onwards- Invited artist at LeFort Gallery, Bath
2011/12 Organiser of Larkhall Open Studio Trail
National Drawing Competition (London); National Architectural Student Design & Drawing Exhibition (London); Royal West of England Academy (Architectural & Art sections); Le Corre Gallery (Bradford on Avon); Sadler Gallery (Wells); First Sight Gallery (Bath); Bath Society Open Exhibition (Bath); No.1 The Royal Crescent (Bath); The Royal Crescent Hotel (Bath); The Theatre Royal (Bath); The Grant Bradley Gallery (Bristol); The Bath Gallery; The Octagon, Bath; Larkhall Artists' Winter Show; LeFort Gallery, Bath.
2003 "A Moment in Time" (West Barn, Bradford on Avon)
2004 "In a Different Light" (West Barn, Bradford on Avon)
2005 "Drawing on Bath" (The Theatre Royal, Bath)
2005 "Changing Moods" (West Barn, Bradford on Avon)
2006 "A Further Step" (West Barn, Bradford on Avon)
2007 "All about Bath" (The Theatre Royal, Bath)
2007 "Drawn to Water" (West Barn, Bradford on Avon)
2008 "An Architect's Eye" (West Barn, Bradford on Avon)
2008 "St. Michael's & The City" (St. Michael's Church, Bath)
2009 "A Bath for All Seasons" (The Theatre Royal, Bath)
2009- Open Studio at Hillview Studio, Bath
Various house & landscape commissions including 24 no. charcoals for Rode Manor House; local newspapers and magazines; cards and limited edition prints including No.1, The Royal Crescent, The Theatre Royal and The Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
Back to beginningNew work and information about the artist can be found in the following galleries:
Invited Artist to gallery; For watercolours, charcoals and oils.
The Tithe Barn Workshop, Barton Farm, Pound Lane, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1LF
Tel: 01225 868661
www.lecorregallery.co.uk
Currently relocating gallery. Invited artist to gallery; For watercolours,charcoals and oils.
www.gallerylefortfineart.co.uk
www.saa.co.uk - type in Simon Hodges under artist profiles for SAA website
Open studio each year during first May Bank holiday on Larkhall Open Studio Trail
www.larkhallopenstudios.weebly.com
Back to beginningFor further information about the following:
Contact; Simon Hodges at 12 Hillview Road, Larkhall, Bath. BA1 6NX.
Tel: 01225 331448.
email: simon@hillviewstudio.co.uk
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