Local artist profile: Neil Gude

THIS week we chat with watercolour painter Neil Gude, whose initial interest in art gave way to a career in medical science, before fully recommitting to the brushes upon retirement in 2012.

What initially motivated you to become a painter?

At school I was excited by both art and science, however, when it came time to choose, I elected to build a career in medical science.

My interest in art remained but was placed on the back burner, which involved doing the occasional drawing, mostly on holidays, and less often an art class.

The excitement of scientific discovery sustained me until my mid-fifties, when an interest in art resurfaced and started to redirect my focus.

An aspect of this renewed interest involved a greater appreciation of the work of the renowned artist Nornie Gude, who was a first cousin of my father.

Her art influenced my early art choices to a large extent, and, as her preferred medium was watercolour, I also adopted that as my main painting medium.

How would you describe your style?

My artistic focus is both people and places.

Landscape works are often done on location either locally or during trips away.

I love the spontaneity and portability of watercolour and I seek to create works which reflect what is unique about the places I visit.

Recent trips include Japan, Portugal, Morocco and Thailand.

My figurative work is mostly undertaken in the studio with a model or photographic reference, and the aim is to create a story within the image that reveals something about the individual.

Both my landscape and figurative work tend towards impressions of the subject rather than strict realism.

My desire to understand the fundamentals of working with watercolour drove me to seek out different watercolour teachers.

Australia is blessed with many accomplished watercolourists, and in those early days I absorbed as much as I could.

I was very fortunate to discover Ev Hales, who is an exceptional artist and an inspiring art teacher.

Over many years she has been my main art mentor and a friend.

Which other artists inspire you?

There are so many artists both present and from the past that inspire me.

One such artist I often return to is John Singer Sargent.

The freshness and beauty of his watercolours continue to amaze me, and his drawings and portraits in oil are exceptionally beautiful.

What are some highlights you have from your career so far?

What I cherish most from my art journey are the people I have met who are passionate about their art, and the great conversations we have had.

How can people check out your work online?

neilgude.com and Instagram @neil.gude

Do you have any exhibitions coming up? Is there anything you’re working on now?

I regularly exhibit in many of the art shows in Central Victoria.

This year I’m keen to exhibit in the Maldon Portrait Exhibition and the Bendigo Co.lab Exhibition, which involves a collaboration between a visual artist and a writer.

I’m currently working on themes for both those events.

In addition, a return trip to Japan is planned in the first half of the year; the main location being the island of Shikoku.

What would you say to regional aspiring painters who are thinking of making a go of the creative life?

Find yourself a good art teacher or mentor and be involved in the art communities that work for you. These could be online or in the real world.