Malcolm Dewey Fine Art Portfolio

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BOUT THE

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Painting. What does it mean to be an artist who paints? Can this be a profession in an increasingly cynical world? The short answer is yes and I am one of the fortunate people who can call himself an artist who paints. In fact there is a growing need for artists of all types. Art is all around us and we cannot get enough visual stimulation.

Art remained part of my life since that early age. Despite stints in the office and detours here and there I have always come back to art. I started with graphic design before moving into fine art. This seems to be a common path among artists. I believe that graphic design taught me about the strength of abstract shapes. An important part of fine art.

I have been fortunate to have worked in a formal profession and now as an artist. I was born in 1967 and one of my earliest memories is being complimented on a pencil drawing. I was probably about five or six at the time. I think this taught me something about the power of art from that early age. People like pictures, I liked making pictures and I could get positive feedback making pictures. Enough said!

My preferred medium is oil paint. My subject matter is landscape in all its forms and figure studies too. My style can be described as contemporary impressionist. I simply call it a painterly style. This means generous brushwork, loose rather than ultra-realistic shapes and expressive colour. I like textures in generous brushwork. I like to see movement in the paint surface and an appreciation for light.

I find beauty in nature and I feel no desire to avoid showing the magic of light in the landscape. There is an infinite variety of subjects outdoors.

The attraction of plein air painting is hard to resist. I try to base all my work on the real world of light, shapes and atmosphere.

Another pleasure for me is teaching art through a number of workshops offered online. This keeps me grounded and constantly learning. That is the thing with painting. It is a lifelong journey. I live it daily and I love to share that with collectors and artists the world over.

Welcome to my world!

My process is simple enough. It involves working in the studio and outdoors on a daily basis. The two work together. I get information from the outdoors for my landscape work.

This can be in the form of sketches, pastel or watercolour paintings, photographs and ideally alla prima oil paintings on the scene.

I can use these for large paintings back at the studio.. I have to work from information gathered myself. Each painting contains emotional responses and memories of the actual scene. I think that is what makes a painting art. A collector will relate to this. It is a kind of magical communication.

I have no particular painting time in the studio. It is more important to have the energy to create. If the feeling is not there then I do another task. Outdoors however is limited to morning s or late afternoons when the light has that golden quality.

Thank you for your support. I hope that you enjoy this sample of my work.

High Tide at Mermaid's Pool oil on panel 23cm x 30cm unframed 46cm x 50cm framed

Mermaid's Pool is part of an impressive rock outcrop at the Nahoon Beach in East London, South Africa. A place with significant prehistoric interest it is now a popular beach and surfing venue. The combination of sea, rock formations and white beach makes this a great venue for outdoor painting too.

Harbour Colours oil on panel 30cm x 23cm unframed 50cm x 43cm framed The East London harbour is a quiet river port. I like the subject because of the cliffs alongside the river that are covered with dense vegetation. This makes a good dark background to offset the sparkling water and white yachts.

The Reef oil on panel 40cm x 40cm unframed 60cm x 60cm framed

Another view of the Mermaid's Pool area.

An interesting viewpoint gave made the swell and waves the subject in this painting. The light also showed off the seawater's colors beautifully.

Playing in the Waves Oil on panel size: 23cm x 31cm unframed 43cm x 51cm framed

Painted en plein air at Kelly' s Beach, Port Alfred.

Dune Light oil on panel 25cm x 35cm unframed 45cm x 55cm framed

Beach Days oil on panel 35cm x 50cm unframed 55cm x 70cm framed

I enjoy adding figures to my paintings although I often find myself alone at a scene. Then a figure or two for scale can help. In this case however there were plenty of people on the beach. Despite the lack of details I feel like I can imagine what they are talking about.

Secret Garden Oil on panel 23cm x 36cm unframed

A tunnel of overgrown foliage in a garden found in the village of Bathurst, Eastern Cape. It was not hard to imagine it leading to a magical place. Or maybe that's just me?

Winter Morning, Greyton

Oil on panel 25cm x 50cm unframed 45cm x 70cm framed

Steadfast oil on panel 23cm x 36cm unframed

Forest Daybreak oil on canvas 51cm x 76cm unframed 71cm x 96cm framed

Village Welcome Oil on panel 35cm x 50cm unframed 55cm x 70cm framed

The karoo region of the Eastern Cape is a village called Niue Bethesda. It is a haven of peace popular among artists and anyone seeking to get away from the madness of cities. Although in the midst of a dry region this village is belssed with spring water that trasnform it into an oasis.

Sunset Harmony Oil on panel 20cm x 20cm unframed

Dune Grass oil on panel 23cm x 30cm unframed 53cm x 50cm framed

The ever changing colours, light and movement of the sand dunes is a subject that I enjoy painting. All the years of beachcombing seem to have made an impression on me!

Village Explorers Oil on panel 26cm x 36cm

Exploring the streets of Greyton, Western Cape, on a chilly winter's morning

Tidal Energies Oil on canvas 80cm x 56cm unframed 100cm x 76cm framed

Morning Walk Oil on panel 24cm x 30cm unframed 44cm x 50cm framed

Early morning walks along the beach.

One of life's true pleasures. All for free.

Karroo Heat Oil on panel 26cm x 36cm

Inspired by the karroo region around Graaf Reneit

Autumn Sunset Oil on panel 26 x 36cm unframed

Yachts Oil on panel 35cm x 50cm unframed 55cm x 70cm framed

Nieu Bethesda Lane Oil on panel 26cm x 36cm unframed

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