A closer view

Working mainly in oil on board, Gareth Brown paints detailed, close-up images of the natural world. He says he finds beauty in unexpected contexts. His subject matter, often transient, reflects his love of nature, colour, texture, shape and form and he usually focuses on objects that are generally seen as ordinary and mundane. His extreme close-ups, much like Georgia O’Keeffe’s flower paintings, force us to look more closely at things we might otherwise pass by without a second glance.

Training and evolving style

‘Before painting full-time I worked as a conservator, training and working initially on ceramics, then on historic buildings, polychromatic surfaces, mosaics and lime mortar repairs. I worked in some interesting environments, such as the Palace of Westminster, Hampton Court, Winchester and St David’s Cathedrals. Since around 2012 I have painted without the interruption of paid work!

‘My style has evolved consciously. I from which I gained some very important skills, such as observing the variety of colour and tone, mixing and matching colours quickly and the awareness of colour within shadow. I also learnt to work with a limited palette. In the mid to late 1980s I was working full-time, often away from home, so found working difficult. It was then that I decided to use the camera as a tool, taking me into ‘small worlds’ – unusual perspectives on subject material – while still applying my experience from work. Although I am not now consciously seeking to evolve my style, I do adapt my technique as needed to suit the subject matter. I work in series, which allows me to constantly challenge myself to hone my skills by finding new subject material to portray.’