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Niumer of the Month: Ralph Bainbridge
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Newsletter Art is a fully subjective form that allows people to communicate what inspires them, capt
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[Niumer of the Month: Ralph Bainbridge](
[Niumer of the Month: Ralph Bainbridge](
Art is a fully subjective form that allows people to communicate what inspires them, capturing a moment of creativity that will remain a legacy for generations to come.
Studies have shown that both creating and looking at art can make you feel happier. Producing art is also a very effective way to help stimulate the brain, which can be a tremendously powerful therapy for people.
Art has the power to change the way we see the world around us and observe the reality of other people.
Read the inspiring interview from Ralph below to find out what is the most rewarding aspect for him in creating his Artwork.
Why did you decide to make Niume a home for your art? How did you discover the platform?
The reason I decided to use Niume is because it fitted perfectly with my posting art on Twitter. I was posting my art online because I was painting so many paintings, storage was becoming a big problem. I have over 1000 paintings at home. Once I have posted the painting online now I don't store it, I either paint over it or dispose of it as I cannot store the originals. I was contacted by someone at Niume to come and join.
What first got you into art and did you do any formal study?
I have always painted. Both my parents painted in oils when I was a child. The only formal art training I have had was for most of my working career, I worked as a Technical Manager including running an Engineering Drawing Office up to 1996 when I retired. So, I am a trained draftsman, at first I used a pencil and later CAD.
Whose work inspires you and why?
I would say over the years I have been inspired by many artists from Turner at first and probably Miro being the last. The art I do now is inspired from within. I paint my emotions, it is more of a therapy. I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1996 and my art is directly related to the progression of my illness and the strength of the medication I have to take.
Your art on Niume is mostly abstract. Have you experimented with figurative art or have you always been drawn towards abstraction?
My art has evolved over the years with my illness. For years I painted very standard landscapes, portraits, seascapes, cityscapes etc. Gradually it was getting harder and more painful to paint any detail or to even hold a pencil or brush. So, I started looking for other ways to paint. I discovered Kitchen roll was very good, then bottle tops, plastic cartons almost anything I could get my hands on, eventually I discovered the water pistol and a lot of my art is now done with a water pistol. If you look at it closely you can tell!
Sadly, I can no longer do the detailed draftsman like art that I used to spend weeks doing on one painting. I now paint with a water pistol and can do 60 in one day if I feel good enough and I don't have to store them.
This is so much fun and is so creative, I never run out of ideas. I often look at a piece of art I have just created and have no idea how it was done or where it came from, it’s very much from my subconscious. That is why I paint quickly, I start with a plan then just let it all go. Also, I may look at a painting days later and add more layers, they are never finished!
The art world is hugely competitive. How did you develop your individual style?
I am inspired from within I don't know of any artist painting in the style that I use, there must be lots but I have not seen their work.
My style is born out of necessity (they say it is the mother of invention). It’s getting to be the only way I can do art. My illness and medication gives me compulsive behaviour, it could be anything like gambling, shopping or eating chocolate for instance but mine is painting. Niume solves a big problem in my life.
Do you ever sell any of your paintings or take part in exhibitions?
I used to sell my paintings. I have had large exhibitions for 6 weeks. I did a show with over 500 pieces of my art. The space was about half the size of a football pitch! I have sold in small galleries, charity events, pubs, clubs and restaurants. I have sold hundreds of paintings, the most I have sold is 20 paintings in 2 days.
I started my own gallery on my drive at home by just putting out easels and paintings on chairs. From that there was a 4-page article written about me in the local newspaper. From that I was contacted to set up a ‘wall of art’ in my local community. We had 46 artists and 3 schools showing art for a weekend in the summer. That lasted for 2 years until I became too ill to continue.
My record is to start with a blank canvas at 8:00 am in the morning paint a watercolour, frame it, put it on show on my drive and sell it to a stranger for £100 by 11:00 am the same day! The most I have sold a painting for is £250.
Also, I have donated most of the profits to charity being mainly the Parkinson's Society. Any profits from sales have all gone into new art materials after paying tax. Now I do not have the energy to exhibit and I am not interested in selling my art, it’s just nice if someone sees it before I destroy it!
If you could only choose one painting from your collection to showcase your work, what one would it be and why?
I would choose " Wet Reflective Street ". This is my own personal favourite, which I have on my bedroom wall. It is one of those paintings that just appeared from my subconscious mind with no planning and no thought, I just stepped back from the canvas and it was there; complete. I have no idea how that happens it just does.
All the images in this post are work of Ralph Bainbridge. To see more of Ralph's stunning artwork, check out his Niume profile.
We hope you enjoyed this interview! Stay tuned for more.
The Niume Team
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