Not every artist has the opportunity to study their craft. However, classical training is not essential when you have been blessed with a natural talent for art like Shaun Burgess. Mr. Burgess lives in Ipswich, Suffolk, England with his wife and three children. As a family man, he values the chance to pursue his passion while providing for his family, so he enjoys life as a full time artist working directly from his home studio.
Shaun Burgess is an artist that finds beauty in all things whether they are animal, human, or illustrious scenery. What is so precious about the artwork produced by Shaun burgess is the emphasis on motion and spirit of the subject. Oil based mediums offer the artist time so they can construct a piece in intricate detail. However, with this artist, we see almost an antique quality in which swatches of colour imitate a possible flaw. Nothing is perfect in life and Mr. Burgess paints in a way that makes us see that imperfection can be even more stunning.
Contradictive and impressionistic pieces are Shaun Burgess’s forte, so let us dive deeper into his mind and spirit with a few burning questions.
How difficult is it to be a full time painter and parent? It can’t be easy to juggle it all.
Planning! When I started out I used a spare room but it quickly became clear that I needed a space away from the house. I converted an existing building at the bottom of the garden into a studio which instantly felt more like going to work. It was an important step to be able to have some clarity between a time for art and a time for family.
On the occasions when a little fatherly one to one chat is required I’ll ask if they can sit for me while I practice a quick portrait sketch, mind you I think they have cottoned on to my little ploy!
How far has your work traveled across the globe?
I have work in collections in several European countries, The United Arab Emirates, Australia and the United States.
Do you have a favourite exhibit you have had your pieces featured in?
Actually, I have just been notified of selection for the annual exhibition for ‘The Institute Of East Anglian Artists’ (IEA) Here in East Anglia we have a rich history of famous artists, John Contable, Sir Alfred Munnings and Thomas Gainsborough immediately spring to mind. The IEA was founded to reflect the abundance of local talent, acceptance for their annual exhibition isn’t easy but given I’m a local boy and this rich history it marks a proud achievement for me.
Why does the impressionistic style speak to you as an artist?
I love paintings that give the illusion of detail with just a few well chosen marks. Over time the impressionistic style has become more and more appealing to me. My earlier paintings were very tight which I think was a good grounding, however, as my confidence has grown so has my liking for that illusion of detail!
Do you dabble in other mediums?
I started out using pastel pencils, then tried acrylics before finally settling on oils. I have a fondness for viewing watercolour and have tried them sporadically but…… boy, do I find them difficult!
In your piece The Cellist, it almost looks like an overexposed photograph would with additional pieces of images. Is that what you were going for?
In the Cellist I wanted to convey energy and fervor, I want the viewer to feel and hear the abruptness of the piece he is playing. The disrupted imagery, in my opinion, bridge that gap from stillness to dynamism.
Who is Freya to you?
Freya is a strong spiritual woman. I was searching for a way to enhance this feeling of strength and felt an overall dark tone with the light shinning on her face gave me what I wanted. I work mainly from photo references and my first thoughts are always ‘how do I improve the feeling, mood and visual appeal, how do I make this unique’
Would you like to take classical training or do you think it would alter your unique style?
Never say never but at this stage of my life no. However, I do spend a lot of time studying the principals, fat over lean, colour theory and composition. It’s also important to know how different mediums affect the paint and its longevity.
Where does the heart of your inspiration come from?
I enjoy the process of making a piece of art, to be able to take a blank canvas and come up with a finished painting I can be proud of is addictive. I’m influenced by the likes of Christian Hook, Jacob Dhein and Lindsey Kustusch, I find this ‘disrupted realism’ style so visually exciting.
Have you always been enticed by art or did it develop later in life?
I’ve always drawn, as a young boy I would draw football stadiums for hours on end. I didn’t enjoy school at all but somehow an art teacher got through to me. In my last couple of years she helped me obtain top grades and a realization I was actually ok at it.
I dabbled sporadically for many years whilst working my way up to a building contracts manager. After a particularly stressful period of work and life, I felt I needed to explore my love of art further. It turned out to be the best move of my life, I now paint full time and, although financially more difficult, the positive effect has overflowed to my family life and happiness.
View more artwork by Shaun Burgess
