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MARCUS USHERWOOD

Born south London 1965.
 
Dedications to figurative and exhibition material dating from 1995.
 
I consider my present paintings to be iconic figurative and derived from biblical accounts and visions.

I like my images to appear solid and tangible to the touch, out of keeping with the generally  ghostly emphasis in spiritual painting. For example as a man I will have a propensity to feature the more warlike aspects of an angelic being fusing together herculean and slender beauty as a means of artistic license.

My testimony for the benefit of many aspiring artists with no formal training, background, qualifications, or little external encouragement are that my works have been built on those very same foundations, in addition to approximately 15 years of trial and perseverance under my own steam, solo and in isolation.

Originally inspired by the works of Aubrey Beardsley: what I call the kick-start period for me in around about the mid-1980s was his ability to play with the simplest natural form and beauty and seemingly enhance it with highly expressive ingenuity.

Studying his works summoned and enlightened the creative possibilities within me at that time that I endeavoured to tailor to my own framework of expression. Thus I began to water that seed and the potential within me to what it has become today, I trust bearing no resemblance to Aubrey Beardsley in any shape or form.

Technically my choice of materials to work with will be those items that most easily come under my charge in rendering a particular image and form true and pleasing to myself.

Typically I will use FW inks, Indian ink, airbrushed and brushed to the smooth black side of artists mountboard with occasional use of pencilling. This has generally proved to be the most satisfactory approach to my cause for the last 15 years.

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