Maker Spotlights: each day we will be focusing on individual exhibitors, exploring their work and finding out what makes them tick...
Scottish born artist, Michael Sutherland - now living in Corsham - spends his spare time primarily painting portraits and landscapes in oil.
After a long hiatus, Michael took up painting again in 2017, initially using his daughter’s watercolour set (meant for primary age children) and then moving forward from there.
Once Michael made the mental decision to be an artist, he found that my radar switched 'on', and he was more open to inspiration; whether it be from other artists, colour combinations, light in nature or shape and form from the world around him.
The Peacock Arts Trail is important to Michael; he finds, “that it's a good focus for my practice and gets me into the frame of mind of working towards a goal. Arts are so often underrated, and that seems to start in education, so to give arts space and a platform is vital”.
Michael tells us, “it's not overstating the fact to say that art has changed my life. Starting to paint again after such a long period has changed the way I look at the world and given me a more positive outlook on how I judge myself”. His advice to fellow artists and makers is to, “keep painting, keep practicing, keep making and keep enjoying yourself”. Painting is a solo pastime and so being part of the Peacock Arts Trail gives Michael the opportunity to interact with other artists and feel part of a wider community.
You can see more of Michael’s work and find out how to get in touch on our website – https://www.peacockartstrail.co.uk/exhibitors-2021/michael-sutherland
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