Number 40
'Bomber Boy'
Original paint on hardboard
size: 70cm x 50cm

Hi Rourke, I know you enjoy doing this stuff, but you seem to be churning them out like there is no tomorrow, I'd like to see some of your more detailed stuff like the head and shoulders of the old man, absolutely fantastic art, up there with the best, not blowing smoke up your ass but you are one of the most talented artists on here, yet you don't seem to be moving forward, I think you are capable of so much more, you seem to have a good imagination, which I think is a pre- requisite to be a good artist, but you tend to stick with stuff that you know, ohh to have a fraction of your talent, c'mon Rourke suprise us............you did ask!!

Sorry for delay, youngest is playing silly buggers on going to bed.
all tucked up now.

Lou you are a true gent, really appreciate your post and honesty.
totally respect your views but let try to explain a few, why's for you.

Regards churning them out, I am just being an artist, just doing my job and being productive, which seems to be a dirty word nowadays.
because it isnt the norm for others. I don't do norm, I like to take different approach or do the Opposite.
I live Art, it is what I go to sleep thinking of, what I dream, and what I think about first in the morn. This year or with the new ones, my approach is to do as much painting as I can, to experiment and develop the the style further and further.
The style, I have explored every avenue I can with regards styles and enjoyed at the time doing all of them. But never had the feeling I have doing my latest work.
The Old man painting… I have been painting now for about 25 years, and I can paint anything you like detailed, so it becomes a bit dull, if you know what I mean.
I am not saying I won't ever paint another detailed picture, But the way I feel at the moment they will be few and far between.
What I am doing offers me more of a challenge, I want to make the paint take control more than the brush, not to be controlled by details and tightness, let the paintings sing with expression and movement.
I feel like my whole life envolved with this thing called 'Art' is definitely been a journey for me, but at this point I really do need to go down this road called 'Expression' (or wild, brutal, anarchistic, frigged up painting style).

Hope this Enlightens you a bit Lou,
and thanks again for your honesty

Cheers mate

thank you lou
you are kind, I feel the style is there
it as everything I need out of a painting,
Don't like working on canvas mate, too soft for me.
You can't, Gouge, Scrape, scratch,
I do put some sides on them, so it looks like a canvas, and then can be straight hung on the wall

F**k hype... keep on keeping on. Your work speaks for itself mate.

pick your toy's up Rourke and put them back in the pram , carry on doing what you do dont drift away from what makes you tick

your pieces are what you are emotionally from the inside , if people dont like them it's there loss , you cant please people 100% of the time

I really miss the landscape work you did many moons ago and often kick myself for not picking one up

No 41
'Bye Myself'

I think Bye Myself and Bomber Boy, although great, are far too similar to Micallef's style.
Good to try things out, but you're always going to get those comments if you carry on in that style. IMO

You have a great talent, and style of your own, the challenge is always the deeper message.

Fair do's happyshopper
appreciate and welcome your points
yes its simaler, but if you look closer that is where it ends.
this is what I want to play around with and develop.
what I can do with my indidual techniques, to give them a difference which will shines through. I don't if Micallefs have alot of texture, but these have.
the question is what makes a style?
I may get compared to Micallef, which I don't think is a bad thing
My veiws on it are, the individual develops a style, by discovering there own techniques, there imagination & thoughts go into the idea behind there painting. Then using all the individual techniques, skill and medium they produce a finished work of art.
If I had been in Anthony's studio for a cup of tea, but sneakily writing notes down, while he was producing a painting, And also switched the paint which I use to Oil.
Yes then you could say my style is Micallef's.
Also simaler to frank auerbach, and Harry simmonds.
it also could go for alot of others.
I am developing a wild, expressive style which is unconventional and the opposite
to how it should be painted.
Although it may be simaler to the artists mentioned, my individual Mind and techniques make it mine to me,
Also my paintings are a lot more affordable.

What about Stencils?
The 100's of stencil artists some very sort after, they are all simaler to other artists, but they all have Individuality in there own rights.

With Paint is harder

hope my thoughts at the moment, help in you or anybodelse understand a little better.

Cheers for your Comments

This about sum's it up for me, a style so unique and identifiable as your's, detailed imagery yet done with a comic book attitude.
Superb.....

If you are an artist who can make enough money to get by on ,fair enough, but even artist's have to live, not quite so romantic these day's if you have a house and kid's to look after, not much fun starving in the Paris attic studio.
I met Mackenzie Thorpe years ago at an exhibition in Brum, he said that when he first started he had to paint commission's of people's poxy cats and dogs, to live, when he became well known he said he could then paint, and I quote, "whatever the fu ck I want".
Depend's what you want out of life I guess.

Cheers mate,
he used to live in a flat at the bottom of our street.
he was about 80, and used to walk to York House (The biggest Block of flats in Bradford, I think, Famous for getting a mention on the Classic Film, Rita, Sue and Bob Too.) every day in full Bay city roller gettup, all the kids use to tornt him, and he use to run after them shaking his walking stick, it was a sight to be seen.

thanks again

Number 43