Artist of the Month

Bruce Houlder

I work in watercolour. There is enough to learn to last a lifetime. It is now a vital hobby and relaxation. As a barrister, former QC, and Recorder of the Crown Court, I had little time and worked too hard for 52 years, and have travelled much of the world as well, learning from so many different cultures. Being busy became a habit, and when I retired, I founded one of the two charities now being supported by the Barnes Art Fair 2022 - www.fightingknifecrime.london. I also took up painting more seriously. Fighting Knife Crime takes most of my free time. I am keen to secure funding, however small, to expand the work we do to find solutions and inspiring pathways to enable young people to change their lives. So far, the success of this resource has been remarkable, but funding to pay for the IT support needed continues to be an essential challenge.

Why do you paint?
It’s where I can surprise myself most. I have a restless mind and need this. I have a very wide area of stylistic interest. I try abstracts, realism, landscapes, architecture, new techniques and even some portrait work. It is a constant journey for me. Watercolour is such an exciting medium, the journey offers more opportunity for discovery than there are years left to me to fill. New pigments, styles and colour mixes, and the power of light to transform is a constant surprise. I just want to get better at it.

Recent technical discovery?
There is nothing new under the sun. You can use just about anything that comes to hand to make a mark or move paint and water. I mostly stick to brushes though. If you decide that many rules of painting are there to be broken, then you get some lovely surprises, and the painting you start can end as something fresh and very different.

Favourite artist?
I never cease to admire the Old Masters, but there are just too many to name one. I keep looking and try to learn. How did they do it?

Colour you can't do without?
Reds can transform any painting. Sometimes just a hint is needed. The paper white of a negative space is just as important.

Plein Air or Studio?
I do too much on the dining room table, or in my head, which may of possibly be plein air, as it still has a lot of space. The same painting can be started outside and then brought indoors. Paint control is variable when outdoors. It can be exciting though, and more satisfying. I admire those who work out in all conditions, early or late.

Barnes Secret for an artist?
It’s a secret. Nobody yet knows that my paintings will sell for millions one day.

Favourite piece of kit?
My Moroccan pigments, and my Porcupine quills.

What makes Barnes special to an artist?
The fact that I am included at all as part of such a talented group as Barnes Artists answers that for me.

 What do you hope for?
To live, to paint, to sing, to laugh and love others. And more patience as I watch the paint dry.