Barcelona, Urban Tapestry & Vibrant Colours: An Interview With Daniel Meakin
Daniel's paintings are exceptionally multi-coloured, overjoyed, and stimulating- waking us from our unaware slumber.
Not only are his paintings fused with academic fundamentals of art, like form, colour, and texture, but also screech the maximalist style in a fashionable sensibility.
There is no dearth of concepts, meaningful identities, and multifarious objects.
Instead, each painting is a disclosure of a new tale and experiences.
Here he talks about his inspiration and experiences working as an artist in Barcelona.
Daniel MeakinSAH: Where do you get your inspiration from?
DM: Ever since I executed my first painting when my school days era was coming to an end, and until the present day, I have been inspired and intrigued by my urban surroundings, whether they be in my home city of Manchester or further afield like London, Barcelona or Miami.
I'm always on the look-out for visuals such as architectural features, composition, and general urban tapestry.
SAH: What are you working on at the moment?
DM: At the moment I am working on a series of commission-based projects for a regular client in Germany and a new client in Austria. Both projects comprise of a series of paintings, some of which are diptychs.
SAH: Is it possible for you to separate your work from your life?
DM: I have been a fine art painter for more than 30 years, selling my paintings internationally since the age of 15 and so it's safe to say that my art-making and personal life are intertwined.
SAH: What kind of impact do you hope that your work has?
DM: During my career so far, I have received numerous compliments from clients and from visitors from some of the international art fairs where I have exhibited. "uplifting", "cheerful to look at", "I see new things in the details each time I look".
SAH: Do you remember the earliest memory of when you wanted to do what you do today?
DM: During infancy I loved to sketch and doodle, a form of escapism. Once I began to experiment with painting and sculpture at art school, I knew that I could realise my imaginative ideas through those media and have been doing so ever since.
SAH: You are living in Barcelona. How did that influence your work?
DM: I undertook my Master's degree in European Fine Art at Winchester School of Art in England, spending the first 9 months in Barcelona and the final 3 months in Winchester. After graduating I decided to return to Barcelona, which has been my home for many years.
I have been greatly influenced by the city's rich urban and costal tapestry along with its colourful cultural scene and history with Barcelona's unique characteristics such as Antonio Gaudi's architecture and Catalan painter Joan Miro's paintings and sculptures.
Over the years of residing in Barcelona, I have experimented with upcycling discarded furniture which can be put out in the city's streets on particular days of the week.
SAH: Who are your biggest influences? Is there a particular artist that inspired you to pursue art?
DM: Ever since my art school days, I have been inspired by painters using vibrant colours and textures such as Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Paul Klee, and David Hockney.
SAH: Art school vs self taught, what鈥檚 your thought?
DM: I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to study art during several years before I went to live in Barcelona as an artist. I know of numerous artists who say they are self taught, maybe post-career in a different field, or someone who dabbled in art as a hobby in their spare time. As long as we artists are executing art, being open to new ideas and being true to ourselves. Being an artist is about learning and evolving, as life is an education.
SAH: How do you seek out opportunities?
DM: I am constantly seeking new avenues to give my paintings more exposure, for example via art fairs, social media and virtual exhibitions.
SAH: Where can people purchase your work
DM: I am selling my paintings in various Galleries and other art venues, online galleries and my social networking sites.
SAH: What advice would you give somebody who has just started their artistic career?
DM: Firstly, to enjoy your art process-making and to be open to trying new techniques. Secondly, don't feel self-conscious about receiving feedback as that can help in boosting your morale.
