North Sea Diver Moves from Oil to Oils
"I want to ensure the story and personalities of the characters who work offshore aren't forgotten and that their memory survives all of us." -Pete Davies, artist and ex North Sea diver.
Angmering, United Kingdom, August 31, 2016 --(PR.com)-- Pete Davies is somebody who has switched from oil to oils without being left on the canvas.
As a former North Sea diver, this is a fellow who grew accustomed to making a deep impact in the energy industry.
However, following an unconventional career change, is showcasing a record of his life offshore by exhibiting his paintings at next month's Aberdeen Art Fair.
This event is now in its sixth year and is being staged for the first time at the city's iconic Beach Ballroom.
His works offer a unique perspective on the often challenging conditions in which he and his colleagues used to operate. But they also depict the wild beauty of the coastal landscapes which he inhabited. Pete Davies originally studied art at Eastbourne College of Art in the 1970s, but hung up his brushes and palette to begin life as a diver.
Yet, last year, encouraged by his wife, Helen, he started painting again, with almost instantaneous success when his work was shortlisted for The Royal Society of Oil Painters, The Columbia Threadneedle Prize and The New English Art Club.
In advance of the AAF, which will be his first major exhibition, Pete explained the reason for his initial decision to become an artisan and not an artist after his graduation.
He said: "When I started out all those years ago, I had a young family and I needed a steady well-paid job.
"Diving fitted the bill. I was young and keen and life offshore was very exciting. Like everyone else at the time, I assumed that I only needed to work for about five years, then I could retire rich!"
Predictably, it wasn't as straightforward as that. But finally, a little matter of 33 years later and still in the North Sea sector, he judged the time was right to pick up the paint brush again and record the lives of his offshore confreres.
He added: "I want to ensure the story and personalities of the characters who work offshore aren't forgotten and that their memory survives all of us.
"I'm very excited to be appearing at the Aberdeen Art Fair. No other place is more appropriate for showing my offshore paintings. You could say I've moved from oil to oils!"
As a former North Sea diver, this is a fellow who grew accustomed to making a deep impact in the energy industry.
However, following an unconventional career change, is showcasing a record of his life offshore by exhibiting his paintings at next month's Aberdeen Art Fair.
This event is now in its sixth year and is being staged for the first time at the city's iconic Beach Ballroom.
His works offer a unique perspective on the often challenging conditions in which he and his colleagues used to operate. But they also depict the wild beauty of the coastal landscapes which he inhabited. Pete Davies originally studied art at Eastbourne College of Art in the 1970s, but hung up his brushes and palette to begin life as a diver.
Yet, last year, encouraged by his wife, Helen, he started painting again, with almost instantaneous success when his work was shortlisted for The Royal Society of Oil Painters, The Columbia Threadneedle Prize and The New English Art Club.
In advance of the AAF, which will be his first major exhibition, Pete explained the reason for his initial decision to become an artisan and not an artist after his graduation.
He said: "When I started out all those years ago, I had a young family and I needed a steady well-paid job.
"Diving fitted the bill. I was young and keen and life offshore was very exciting. Like everyone else at the time, I assumed that I only needed to work for about five years, then I could retire rich!"
Predictably, it wasn't as straightforward as that. But finally, a little matter of 33 years later and still in the North Sea sector, he judged the time was right to pick up the paint brush again and record the lives of his offshore confreres.
He added: "I want to ensure the story and personalities of the characters who work offshore aren't forgotten and that their memory survives all of us.
"I'm very excited to be appearing at the Aberdeen Art Fair. No other place is more appropriate for showing my offshore paintings. You could say I've moved from oil to oils!"
Contact
Pete Davies Art
Pete Davies
0044 7795 548420
www.petedaviesart.co.uk
Pete Davies
0044 7795 548420
www.petedaviesart.co.uk
Contact
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