Five Minutes With

Richard Young owner of R Young Art Gallery

Jacqui Priestley spends 5 minutes with Richard Young, owner of R Young Art Gallery, Southgate House, just off Denmark St in Wokingham.

WL: Did you have a previous career prior to becoming an Art Gallery owner? RY: Yes, I was a full time professional artist since 2018 and prior to that a semi professional artist from 2004. I held several positions in various positions in engineering, construction and manufacturing industries.

WL: How did you decide on opening an art gallery, and why in the centre of Wokingham? RY: My partner Sarah convinced me to after several years of discussion. During lockdown I decided that if I could get a grant I’d try. So I applied for grants and approached the agent for this unit to get a price for rental and fit out costs as a basis for the grant application. I wasn’t successful in my application but Sarah convinced me to open a gallery anyway. The initial intent was for a studio to create art, a gallery to sell my art and a place to scan and print art for myself and other artists as this service for other artists was expanding. Also, we were so disappointed with frames bought a large contract framer and a local gallery so we did a framing trial, purchased the necessary equipment and started making our own frames which we wanted to do for others. We looked at several units and chose this one because of the large window walls, the high ceiling and location. Also, the large open square floorspace was ideal for events. We looked at several units in Wokingham along with units in Bracknell, Windsor, Henley, Reading and Camberley. We chose Wokingham as we love the town, we were living on FinchampsteadRoad at the time and we wanted to minimize the commute.

WL: What do you like best about Wokingham? RY: There’s a good community spirit. People love to dine out and socialise in the town so the footfall potential is good and our events are extremely popular. There’s a large affluent proportion of

residents so the potential for a high end gallery is good. There are a lot of professional, semiprofessional and hobby artists so the potential for services is good. We are the only art gallery selling original artwork and offering the wide range of services that we do, so we have little competition. We are close to Reading without the trappings of such a large town and we are an easy rail commute from London! What’s not to like?!!!

WL: Do you feel you are becoming well established in the Town? RY: Yes, and it’s gradually improving every month as residents find us and share feedback. Better signage in the town centre would certainly help though. Not just for us but all businesses.

WL: Do people need Art? RY: Of course!!!!! During lockdown people redecorated, did home improvements and needed something nice to enjoy on their walls. Now, when people spend more time at home due to changing working conditions it’s just as important. And artwork brightens up a wall and room. Carefully chosen artwork can cheer you up and provoke thought. It really is therapeutic. Artwork is often a reflection of the collector. We recommend collectors of all levels to rotate artwork with the seasons, between rooms and from a dry storage location in their home in order to change the appearance of a room. When artwork is stored out of the way for a while, then re-hung, it’s re-loved all over again and new aspects are often identified.

WL: Would you consider yourself an art lover? RY: Very much so. I absolutely love visiting galleries, exhibitions and fairs. The artwork that I create is a reflection of my preferences from other artists! When I like a piece, I consider how the artist may have created it. With my own artwork I have a specific critique routine for each painting which I apply to the artwork of others.

WL: Do you have a network of local Artists? RY: Yes. We scan original artwork, produce a large range of prints, products and frame artwork for a large number of local and regional artists, which is steadily growing

WL: Do you have a personal favourite? RY: My favourite artist has to be William Bouguereau and my favourite painting of his is Biblis. For my own artwork, it’s difficult as I have different favourites at different times and for different reasons. my current favourite is Private Dancer…

WL: What advice would you give to a student artist? RY: Visit art fairs. Get inspiration. See what sells and what doesn’t. See the pricing structure. Collect inspiration but limit it and declutter regularly… Paint what you enjoy, not what others enjoy. Be selective with commissions. Don’t overwork a painting. If you are not happy with something, move on to the next painting and learn from it.

The devil really is in the detail. Don’t rush. Don’t hope for the best. Plan the whole painting before you start. Self critique each piece you create just a day or two after you complete it. Identify two aspects that you got right and are most proud of so that you can continue these into the next painting. Then identify two aspects that could be better and need improvement in the next painting. Ask a friend to do the same for you…

NEVER criticize your own work in front of others. NEVER criticize the artwork of others.

Put your artwork in front of the public. Don’t expect others to do it for you. Be prepared to start small with a table at a craft market or fair, offering prints and originals. Next, try a budget dedicated art fair then a higher end art fair. Gain experience in selling your artwork and establish a professional pricing structure before approaching galleries. Create a large show stopper project in the background. Take your time to get every aspect right. There’s no rush.

Capture high quality digital images of artwork before it sells. Photography is fine as a starting point, to show others and to test the market for small prints, but scanning is by far the best. We scan artwork at 48 bit colour depth and up to 6400 dpi with a professional graphics scanner. Our scans are typically up to 30,000 pixels wide / high and up to 900 MB for example, which allows reproduction at publishing quality 300dpi and very large sizes.

Offer reproductions via print on demand websites and online stores. We offer free advice to all our customers as to how and where to achieve this. Celebrate your sales and successes.

WL: What plans and events do you have in the making for the Gallery for 2023? RY: We will shortly open another unit in Holme Grange Craft Village as a base for our framing, dry mounting and laminating along with additional art sales and possibly art events. We will participate in high end art fairs and expand our product services.

WL: What next for Richard Young, what is your future ambition? RY: I plan to recommence creation of my new artwork series.

WL: All the team here at Wokingham Local wish you all the best for the future.

GLASS THERAPY

Date £70 PP 11-2pm

Saturday 14th Jan Small Picture Saturday 21st Jan Drape Vase Saturday 4th Feb Copper Inclusions Picture Class Saturday 11th Feb Coasters Saturday 18th Feb Tealight Wave Saturday 11th Mar Small Picture Saturday 18th Mar Soap/Trinket Dish

Date £150 PP 10.30-3.30pm

Saturday 28th Jan Bowls/Dishes Saturday 25th Mar Big Picture Come in from the cold this Winter and join Gayle at Enchanting Glass Designs at Holme Grange Craft Village, where you can relax, have fun and enjoy some Glass Therapy! Course options are 3 hours or a Full day, depending on level of experience, (however, there is no experience necessary) and prices include all materials, tea and coffee. Using Bullseye transparent and Opal art glass, learn all there is to know about fused glass. Create your very own stunning pieces of fused glass art using the most beautiful colours and types of glass. Class numbers are limited to 7 adults per class to ensure you have Gayle’s personal attention. Advance booking is definitely recommended.