Meet the Artist: Ian Rayer-Smith
1) How long have you been making art?
I'm a bit of a late starter really. I was immersed in the rat race for twenty years running my own business. Whilst on holiday in the States in 2006 I saw a painting and decided I needed to paint. I have not stopped, it's taken over my life and now I'm painting full-time. If I could I would probably be in my studio 7 days a week.
2) What genre best describes the kind of art which you create and how has it evolved since you began?
I suppose I'm a 'Contemporary Figurative Expressionist'. I've always been obsessed with the Abstract Expressionists. As my work has developed I've been searching for new ways to continue this- combined with surrealism, my own experiences, contemporary inspirations and concepts. My work is less literal now, although I like to reveal and suggest things in my paintings with usually one figurative element, I think my paintings have become more surreal. I like to work on very large paintings, yet in the last year I have begun to enjoy a much more intimate scale. I don't like to tell obvious tales with my paintings, I'm more interested creating images that create some sense of mystery.
3) You managed to graduate with a First-class honours degree, how did you achieve this and what did it entail?
I think when you study later in life you tend to enjoy it more and work a lot harder. I don't think I would have worked quite as hard if I'd had gone to University straight from school. As you get older you have a desire to obtain more knowledge.
4) You've shown your work at several exhibitions in Manchester, but our 'Framed Exhibition' will be your first in London, what made you decide to exhibit here?
I'm very excited to be showing at this years 'Framed Exhibition' and to be able to have direct access to the public. London is one of the important 'Art Capitals' of the world, it's a great opportunity for an emerging artist like me to gain access to the London market and meet new audiences.
5) How do you create paintings and what is your process?
I create mountains of sketches, most are discarded but sometimes I latch onto an idea that interests me enough to push forward. I often hide away completed sketch books to then revisit. I find that rediscovering things later can be more interesting and give feel of detachment. I like to combine these ideas with new ones and mix them into the pot.
6) Is there a medium or technique that you have yet to try but would like to?
I'm obsessed with paint as a medium, but I'm away of an underlying need in me to work in 3D.
7) What would your ideal solo exhibition be like and where would it be held?
I'd love a solo show in London one day and a major gallery.
8) Do you have a favourite artist or painting?
There are many artists and paintings that I admire, both historic and contemporary. If I had to pick one artist, I'd have to say Milton Resnick. His whole attitude to painting fascinates me.
9) If you could change anything about the art world, what would it be?
That's a big question. All emerging artists want to be a part of it, and we have to find our own way in. It's changing fast and that makes it exciting. I suppose I would ban pointillism.
10) What are you planning to exhibit at the New Artist Fair in March 2015?
I am bringing to the Fair a wide range of smaller scale framed paintings created in the last 12 months
I'm a bit of a late starter really. I was immersed in the rat race for twenty years running my own business. Whilst on holiday in the States in 2006 I saw a painting and decided I needed to paint. I have not stopped, it's taken over my life and now I'm painting full-time. If I could I would probably be in my studio 7 days a week.
2) What genre best describes the kind of art which you create and how has it evolved since you began?
I suppose I'm a 'Contemporary Figurative Expressionist'. I've always been obsessed with the Abstract Expressionists. As my work has developed I've been searching for new ways to continue this- combined with surrealism, my own experiences, contemporary inspirations and concepts. My work is less literal now, although I like to reveal and suggest things in my paintings with usually one figurative element, I think my paintings have become more surreal. I like to work on very large paintings, yet in the last year I have begun to enjoy a much more intimate scale. I don't like to tell obvious tales with my paintings, I'm more interested creating images that create some sense of mystery.
3) You managed to graduate with a First-class honours degree, how did you achieve this and what did it entail?
I think when you study later in life you tend to enjoy it more and work a lot harder. I don't think I would have worked quite as hard if I'd had gone to University straight from school. As you get older you have a desire to obtain more knowledge.
4) You've shown your work at several exhibitions in Manchester, but our 'Framed Exhibition' will be your first in London, what made you decide to exhibit here?
I'm very excited to be showing at this years 'Framed Exhibition' and to be able to have direct access to the public. London is one of the important 'Art Capitals' of the world, it's a great opportunity for an emerging artist like me to gain access to the London market and meet new audiences.
5) How do you create paintings and what is your process?
I create mountains of sketches, most are discarded but sometimes I latch onto an idea that interests me enough to push forward. I often hide away completed sketch books to then revisit. I find that rediscovering things later can be more interesting and give feel of detachment. I like to combine these ideas with new ones and mix them into the pot.
6) Is there a medium or technique that you have yet to try but would like to?
I'm obsessed with paint as a medium, but I'm away of an underlying need in me to work in 3D.
7) What would your ideal solo exhibition be like and where would it be held?
I'd love a solo show in London one day and a major gallery.
8) Do you have a favourite artist or painting?
There are many artists and paintings that I admire, both historic and contemporary. If I had to pick one artist, I'd have to say Milton Resnick. His whole attitude to painting fascinates me.
9) If you could change anything about the art world, what would it be?
That's a big question. All emerging artists want to be a part of it, and we have to find our own way in. It's changing fast and that makes it exciting. I suppose I would ban pointillism.
10) What are you planning to exhibit at the New Artist Fair in March 2015?
I am bringing to the Fair a wide range of smaller scale framed paintings created in the last 12 months
