"I have lived on the urban fringe of London for over twenty years; a short walk from the top of the Northern Line and within ear shot of the M25 orbital motorway. The suburbs are neither city nor countryside, but fragments of both. I’m drawn to paint the quiet, empty spaces I discover in this band that wraps the busy city; where I have found moments of peace and solace."
- Paul Regan ARWS
Born in 1971, in Wantage, Oxfordshire, Paul went on to study Illustration at the University of the West of England in Bristol and Art and Design Education at UCL in London. After five years teaching in Secondary schools, Paul founded Insight School of Art; a school dedicated to providing an 'Art School education for everyone', which today has more than 400 adults and children coming to their Whetstone studio to learn about painting each week.
In 2012, Paul started to make night-time paintings of the North London suburbs where he lives. His first taste of success was on the BBC programme 'Show Me The Monet', which was followed by having work regularly selected for group shows in London, including the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, the Columbia Threadneedle Prize and ING Discerning Eye.
In 2018 Paul begun to explore the other side of the M25, leaving the suburban streets and entering the fields, muddy tracks and country roads of Hertfordshire; reminiscent of the Oxfordshire countryside where he spent his childhood. He says that he’s interested in 'The Edge of London'.
In the above video, Paul gave us an insight into his process behind creating one of a series of paintings that will be showing in our upcoming Summer Exhibition, opening 18 June 2021.
Want to see more of Paul's work? Head to his page here.
Make sure to watch the full video above, follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our Youtube channel for more 'In the Studio' features!
More like this on the Blog...
Read / Watch: Linocut Printing: In the Studio with Anita Klein PPRE Hon. RWS
Read / Watch: Relief Printing: In the Studio with Trevor Price RE
Read / Watch: Abstract Art: In the Studio with Lisa Traxler RWS
Read / Watch: Linocut Printing: In the Studio with Gail Brodholt RE
Read / Watch: Linocut & Woodblock Printing: In the Studio with Laura Boswell ARE
