Have a look at Debbie Dunbar's Slideshow.
What's your name? Debbie Dunbar
Where are you from originally and where are you now? I grew up in a small close community in a village close to Rugby in Warwickshire. I moved to a smallholding in West Wales in 1986, and I plan to stay here for quite a while!
What medium / media do you work in? I work mainly in oils, as I love the richness of colour and texture that can be achieved with this medium. To me when I paint it is almost like sculpting, trying to capture the form and movement of the subject. I also work in graphite pencil and pastels.
How would you describe your work?
I would say that my work is broadly representational in style. I am quite a traditionalist! But I am obsessed with the way light affects the mood and drama of a piece, quality of light is vital to my work, whether it is striking and bold or subtle and soft. To portray light, life and feeling and soul is of huge importance to me, and I hope that I can convey a sense of the emotion and spirit of the subject and myself to the viewer of my work.
What are your influences and inspirations? I am constantly inspired, whether it is a magnificent cob stallion showing its fire in partnership with its handler, or the quiet play of sunlight through the trees in the wood. The inspiration is there all around me, every moment of every day.
My greatest artistic influences are John Singer Sargent, Munnings, Stubbs, and Sickert, but I must also include mention of the Impressionists, and the Scottish School, as well as the Newlyn School of Cornwall. I am also a great admirer of Rolf Harris, for his obvious passion and infectious enjoyment of art.
Which piece are you most proud of and why? I am immensley proud and honoured that I was commissioned to paint a picture of a Welsh Mountain Pony Stallion for the private collection of HRH Prince of Wales.
I am also proud to have my work recognised and promoted by the Welsh Pony and Cob Society.
Finally I am always proud to be asked to paint a horse (or person) to commission. It is an honour to be entrusted with the task of portraying someone or something that is so very personal to the patron.
Have you had any exhibitions - if so, where? Do you have any planned in the future? I was lucky enough to be invited to hang work at the Royal Welsh Centenary Exhibition which also toured the country. I am pleased to report that my work was a sell out at this exhibition!
Amongst many others, I hope to be represented at the Welsh Festival of the Horse later this year at Margham Park. The Society of Equestrian Artists Summer Exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London, and of course the Royal Welsh Show at Builth Wells.
Please give a brief description of one or two of the projects you've worked on recently. I am currently painting a famous American Triple Crown winner (Flat Racing) for his owners in Kentucky.
Recent past projects include a piece for the Canadian Warmblood Breeders Association, and new work for the galleries currently representing me, as well as pieces for other exhibitions!
What are your views on the current arts scene nationally and in South Wales?There is a particularly strong and growing artistic community in this area of Wales. I have seen the arts scene growing in the Towy and Tivy Valleys over the past twenty years.
We are now lucky to have many good venues and visitors are coming to the area for the arts. I see this trend continuing. We are also fortunate to have the new Arts Complex at Theatr Mwldan in Cardigan, another sign of the upsurge of interest in the Arts in this area.
Website:www.debbiedunbar.net
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