Paul Ferguson is a self taught contemporary abstract (Mixed Media) artist born in Glasgow. Paul aims to produce bold artwork with incredible energy that has to be seen in real life to fully appreciate the scale and intensity, demanding prolonged staring into the canvas by the viewer. Paul's large works can take weeks or sometimes months to produce using premium paints, charcoals, metal, spray paint and gels. In addition to large works, Paul also specialises in creating small works bespoke commissions.
1) Which art movement do you consider most influential on your practice?
The contemporary art movement is the practice most influential on myself as it’s fairly new (later half of 20th century), and is constantly evolving, challenging traditional artistic values and defy easy definition.
2) Where do you go and when to make your best art?
I will go to my studio whenever I get an idea that I want to use on the artwork I’m currently working on be that anytime of the day or night.I get a lot of my inspiration from my constant travels abroad and the dramatic west coast of Scotland along with all the islands.
3) How do you describe your 'creative process'?
I will normally work on two pieces at a time depending on the size, and I tend to take weeks and even months to finish, culminating in built up layers giving texture and depth although some of my paintings have been completed in 2/3 days with no real depth, I love to use brushes and palette knives along with spray paint,charcoal, acrylic pens and all types of gels, sands, lava rock in-fact anything that comes to hand on any particular day.
4) Which artist, living or deceased, is the greatest inspiration to you?
Joan Miro has had the most influence on me,I absolutely love his work, it’s full of colour and expression you can literally feel the energy.I visit his foundation in Palma Mallorca as often as I can regularly walking in the gardens and through his studios getting inspiration.
5) If you weren't an artist, what would you do?
I would have been a marine biologist because of my love of the rivers and oceans of the world and all the wildlife within them.
6) What do you listen to for inspiration?
I love listening to all music for inspiration, it really depends on my mood at the time, it could be Pop, classical or even Rap.
7) If you could own one artwork, and money was no object, which piece would you acquire?
The Mona Lisa it’s priceless and what a talking point that would make to have that in your collection.
8) If your dream museum or collection owner came calling, which would it be?
It would have to be the Peggy Guggenheim on the Grand canal Venice, to have my work hanging on one of those walls would be the ultimate.
9) What is your key piece of advice for artists embarking on a fine art or creative degree today?
Stay true to yourself, and always try to be different, never give up.
10) What is your favourite book of all time (fiction or non fiction)?
Losing my virginity by Richard Branson, an incredible success story by a visionary man with no fear or boundaries and has lived life to the full.
11) If you could hang or place your artwork in one non-traditional art setting, where would that be?
I would hang my artwork in the tube stations around the world, London, New York etc as it would liven the dark platforms and give all the commuters a visual stimulus at any time of day or night.
12) And finally, if we were to fast forward 10 years, where would we find you?
Painting in my custom built spacious studio working on my next installation looking out the window at the waves crashing against the rocks below in the secluded cove.
Learn more about Paul and discover his collection of artworks.
