The inspiration behind my latest exhibition – A ‘Passeggiata’ in Venice and journeys beyond

When planning my annual exhibition, everyone that knows my work will know that ITALY especially VENICE is my favorite and most often visited place for inspiration.

But – for my Exhibition this Year I have given much time and thought to recalling other inspirational places I have visited over the years. My memories have evoked recollections of India and Cuba which have resulted in new paintings of such for this Exhibition.

Rio ‘Ca Foscari – Tarda Serata Venice pastel 102 x 76 cm

When I arrive in Venice it is the faded Palazzos along the Grand Canal, the light on the Campos in the evening with the Venetian families enjoying the “passeggiata” and the reflections and shadows of the bridges over the many beautiful backwaters that appeal every time.

When I think of CUBA – especially Havana it evokes the sights of crumbling mansions somehow beautiful in their decay and the passionate music and spirit of the people living there in a time warp era.

Then when I try and visualize INDIA I remember the abundance of colour, the smells and the warmth I experienced there. A real feast for the senses both in the North in Rajhastan and in the South among the tropical KERALAN backwaters.

More recently I have been travelling to the beautiful ISLAND OF MAJORCA. A revelation to me. The Charm and Architecture of Palma, the Island Capital and the smaller towns of Pollensa and Soller appealed along with the Tramuntana mountains.

Following on from the popular 2017 public exhibition, I am of course working towards this years Exhibition on the 16^th November so the Studio is strewn with many images of these locations – hopefully will all be finished and framed by then !!!

2018 November exhibition dates:

2018 Annual November Exhibition dates: Preview Friday 16th 6.30 – 9.00 pm. Exhibition runs from 17th November – 2nd December at The Gallery 9 Granby Road Harrogate HG1 4ST

Lower pine walk Puerto Pollenca, Mallorca 25 x 32 inches inc. frame

Travelling and painting the world – an artists view

View my collection of paintings

An artist with a passion for painting Italy

Painting of Venice canal shadows pastel 57 x 76 cm by Harrogate artist Tony Brummell-Smith

Venetian canal shadows pastel 57 x 76 cm

Now in my 70th year, with over 30 years as a professional artist I still have a passion for painting and travel feeds that need. It provides me with my inspiration. Having explored Europe, especially Italy and especially Venice, I feel I have a special affinity with Italy, the architecture in Venice and Rome is second to none. At first I was reluctant to paint Venice as so many artists for centuries have done, but arriving in the early morning mist and approaching the Grand Canal approximately 30 years ago immediately dispelled that doubt. The grand monuments, the countless narrow byways and canals, transformed by the light creating luminous colours, are instantly inspiring.

Painting further afield

Havana Vieja – Cuba Pastel 85 x 100 cm

Other ventures have taken me to Cuba, Thailand, Egypt and Israel. I once retraced my grandmother Dorothy Groome’s footsteps to the Holy Land. She was a photographer travelling from England to Ephesus and eventually through Israel on horseback arriving at the Giza pyramids in about 1908. My grandparents on both sides of the family were artistic and I seem to be the one to carry on the tradition. My journeys, armed with sketch pads and cameras, have helped me to capture the atmosphere and diverse nature of all these places in oils, pastels or watercolours.

What next?

I would also like to fit Africa into my itinerary. Myself and my wife Elaine are involved with the Open Arms Orphanages in Malawi so maybe a visit there and to Tanzania could be on the cards. Zanzibar is a place that I would love to return to, along with another trip to Cuba, especially Havana to see the changes that have taken place.

Changing my painting style

My work has turned many corners in the last 30 years or so. If I held a retrospective it could quite possibly appear to be the work of three different artists as my work has grown and changed over the decades. However my work and style have, I believe, become instantly recognisable over the last 20 years and I have built up a large following of collectors, especially in the North of England, London and other parts of the country and overseas.