Our first artist to step under the spotlight in this new feature is member PAUL JESS, to tell us a little about himself and to showcase some of his artwork.
“A JOURNEY INTO ART“
Born in Plymouth in 1951, I was lucky not rich.
My schooling helped expand my enquiring mind. I was very fortunate to attend a school which gave students the opportunity of many extra-curricular activities. My interests in those teenage years were mostly based outside and involved many sports. My art interest only really became noticeable when I chose to study for an art “A” level. However, I soon discovered that this only involved lithography, a little work on sculptures and the “History of Art”. However, I left before the end of the first year in the sixth form (because I was insufficiently interested in studying).
My life at home was also based around the outdoors and included beaching, fishing and latterly trials bike riding.
Then came my first real job, which was in a bank! Although not totally absorbing, I did find it interesting and only finished after 27 years. I married my beautiful wife at 22 and our wonderful children arrived by the time I was 31. All very absorbing, but art did not really feature, apart from a few occasional attempts at drawing.
My enquiring mind continued to be a big factor all through my life and meant that I have been keen to try as many activities as I could – so I would find out about the things that I really liked.
My artistic story only really started towards the end of 2017. Our children had grown up and my wife and I found that we thoroughly enjoyed cruising. For no understandable reason whilst on a Mediterranean cruise, I wondered if I could draw any better than when I was younger. Fortunately, in those days, you could try your hand at drawing and painting with a professional artist, who gave group lessons onboard. So one thing led to another and I soon found myself hooked on painting. That was followed over the next year or two by a few reasonably basic lessons (on mainly painting techniques) from several local artists in the Dursley area. I was still very keen on painting but rather limited as this normally involved only working in organised groups.
Then in 2020, my wife and I moved to Chipping Sodbury and we now live next door to our daughter and her family. After a couple of years, I felt the urge to satisfy my need to paint. So, I enquired about the SAA Frome Valley Art Group in Winterbourne and U3a in Yate. This worked out magnificently, particularly with the SAA group who I found highly inspirational, helpful and friendly. The timing was perfect as my mind was ready to attempt all sorts of new challenges. I have found my horizons have expanded as I now have the ability and freedom to experiment more.
I found that my younger years in the West Country gave me first hand references for hills, the sea, clouds and all things natural. Whilst I have struggled with capturing humans and animals on paper, I have not given up hope and continue to challenge myself with these topics. Like all people, I find that all my experiences help me make progress through life, including matters artistic.
My reward for finding the courage to join the magnificent Frome Valley Art Group was to have many hours of fun – even as early as the first meeting! My drive to “try everything I could” has given me loads of great times, but one highly memorable moment was when I realised that I had entered the zone (when your hand is guided by your unconscious thoughts). My best work usually comes in those brief times when my brain is not working!
Nevertheless, I feel overwhelmingly lucky to find such pure pleasure in putting paint on paper or canvas.
I do hope that you like some of my work and encourage everyone to never stop trying everything you can!
Many thanks for all your support.
Paul Jess
Wow what a journey Paul! How wonderful you’ve discovered the absolute joy of “Art” and I look forward to seeing all your further discoveries in this crazy but absorbing world of creativity!