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John Knapp-Fisher (1931-2015) is well-known for his paintings of the Pembrokeshire coast and buildings. He was born in London in 1931 and studied graphic design at the Maidstone College of Art. At first he painted and exhibited from a boat, also working in theatre and exhibition design. Artists that influenced him included John Piper and Mark Rothko. He moved to Pembrokeshire in 1965, setting up his studio in Croesgoch in 1967 from where he taught and painted. He took his inspiration from the local area, preferring to work from life and sketches, rather than photographs.
He said 'I tell students to do something every day - even if it's a quick thumbnail sketch ..... Rather like a dancer has to practise every day, a painter has to oil the hinges by doing little drawings'. [3]
He worked in watercolour, ink and oils. He said his way of working and the subjects did not change much in 50 years. His paintings typically use a limited palette of muted browns, blues, grey and black, with sometimes striking use of white. He said of this 'I am seeking what I call 'the edge of colour', where the earth colours and touches of primary colour emerge from the darks and where tonal relationships, quality, texture and chiaroscuro are all important'. [4]
He said 'I tell students to do something every day - even if it's a quick thumbnail sketch ..... Rather like a dancer has to practise every day, a painter has to oil the hinges by doing little drawings'. [3]
He worked in watercolour, ink and oils. He said his way of working and the subjects did not change much in 50 years. His paintings typically use a limited palette of muted browns, blues, grey and black, with sometimes striking use of white. He said of this 'I am seeking what I call 'the edge of colour', where the earth colours and touches of primary colour emerge from the darks and where tonal relationships, quality, texture and chiaroscuro are all important'. [4]
The sea and boats were constant inspiration for him. The Boatyard at Borth, below, typically uses restrained colours - red, yellow and blue but the predominant tones are dark, with brighter whites.
He was elected to the Royal Cambrian Academy in 1992. He exhibited in Britain and abroad, his largest exhibition was of 60 paintings in South Africa. His work can be found in many public and private collections. He was featured on the BBC Radio Wales Arts Show in 2011 at the age of 80. He lived with his partner Gillian Pare in Croesgoch until his death in 2015.
He said of his work 'My subjects continue to be landscapes, seascapes, buildings, boats, figures, animals and fish. I observe, feel and interpret. I do not copy. Nor do I invent, which is why I am not an abstract painter in the accepted definition of the term'. [4]
He said of his work 'My subjects continue to be landscapes, seascapes, buildings, boats, figures, animals and fish. I observe, feel and interpret. I do not copy. Nor do I invent, which is why I am not an abstract painter in the accepted definition of the term'. [4]
Disclaimer: This artists' collective has been created for educational purposes only. While the members are real artists, they have been brought together as a fictitious group to highlight their relationship with Pembrokeshire.