PIERS FEETHAM GALLERY
TOM COATES 15 March – 7 April 2018
TOM COATES Tom Coates is firmly established as one of the outstanding painters in the English figurative art tradition, showing regularly in group and solo exhibitions. He is a member of a number of societies: the Pastel Society, Royal Society of British Artists and New English Art Club, in each of which he has acted as President, and Royal Society of Portrait Painters and Royal Watercolour Society. Travelling to paint has been a constant of his career, and many of his favourite destinations feature in the paintings in this exhibition. The use of his pochade boxes, together with his sketchbooks, has over the years provided him with both finished work and a huge source of ideas for larger studio paintings, completed over time at Bladon Studio, a converted Congregational Chapel in the Test Valley in Hampshire, his base since 1985, where he lives with his wife the painter Mary Jackson.
My first introduction to the Pochade was as a student at the RA Schools, watching Peter Greenham RA and Bernard Dustan RA, using their boxes which were much smaller versions. Sickert took his box into the theatre during the performances as I've done with mine. Over the years I’ve developed my Pochade with more space holding at least 7 boards in various sizes, along with paints, a few brushes and a spot for the turps holder. It’s my constant companion! Painting with my Pochade gives me a chance to paint the intimacy of the moment in time , it concentrates the mind , there’s no room for hesitation , spontaneity is paramount. Hokusai inspired my way of working with speed and brush technique. Tom Coates February 2018
Tom working with his Pochade Box in his Studio
The Castle Walls, Sommiers, France oil on canvas 41 x 51 cm
Afternoon Session oil on board 25 x 30 cm
The Market, Marrakech oil on canvas 61 x 76 cm
Repairing the Nets, Essaouira, Morocco oil on board 15x 20 cm
Timberbox Headland, Tasmania oil on canvas 41 x 51 cm
Sunrise on the Oysterbeds, Tasmania oil on board 15 x 20 cm
Painting in the Shade of the Bougainvillea oil on canvas 30 x 40 cm
Rocky Path, Randall's Bay oil on board 20 x 24 cm
Castello, Poppi, Tuscany oil on canvas 51 x 61 cm
The Fields of Poppi oil on board 25 x 30 cm
The Pasta Maker, Basilicata oil on board 15 x 20 cm
The Ironing Lady, Summerlease oil on canvas 41 x 51cm
Repairing the Chinese Fishing Nets, Kerala oil on canvas 122 x 61 cm
The Laundry, Kerala oil on canvas 51 x 61 cm
The Sleeping Egyptian Guard oil on canvas 41 x 51 cm
The Pottery, Luxor oil on canvas 76 x 102 cm
Model with Glass Beads oil on board 25 x 30 cm
The Fiery Cactus oil on canvas 30 x 41 cm
Crossing the Arve, Chamonix oil on board 51 x 51 cm
Mary by the River Arve oil on board 15 x 30 cm
Good Companions, Blackpool Sands oil on board 15 x 20 cm
Dogwalkers by the Sea oil on canvas 41 x 51 cm
Footpath to the Sea, Cromer oil on canvas 30 x 41 cm