David Atkins was born in Greenwich, London in 1964. He studied painting at St Martins School of Art, London and Winchester School of Art gaining a 1st Class Honours Degree in painting.
After leaving college he returned to London, where he taught part time and continued painting. He exhibits regularly throughout the UK and in 1999 began showing at the Albemarle Gallery in London, with his first solo show in 2002. He has been awarded numerous prizes including the Horan prize for Painting at the NEAC Exhibition in London and the Façade International Prize for Painting at the Discerning Eye Exhibition in London. He was recently awarded the Baltic Exchange Prize 2018 for painting in the RMSA Exhibition at the Mall Galleries London. He now lives and works in Dorset.
WHERE DID YOU STUDY?
I studied at St Martins School of Art in London and Winchester School of Art where I gained a First-Class Honours Degree in painting.
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE?
That’s a difficult question to answer as there are so many artists who influence my painting at different times. Turner, Constable and Monet are very important to me and the contemporary painter Frank Auerbach. There use of paint and colour is used in such an inspired and romantic manner.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PIECE OF ART?
Living in Dorset means I now visit London occasionally When I do, I always go and see Titian’s ‘Bacchus and Ariadne’ in the National Gallery. It’s a large, beautiful painting full of vibrant colour and drama. It has a complex composition and a heart breaking story.
WHERE ARE YOU HAPPIEST PAINTING?
I’ve spent the majority of my painting career working directly in the landscape. Working with big spaces full of light, space and colour is where I am happiest.
WHEN YOU ARE NOT PAINTING, WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING THE MOST?
Painting is an all-consuming pursuit. When I’m not painting, I am doing something that’s involved with painting. Sketching, visiting exhibitions, reading and looking at other artists, talking about art and thinking about it constantly. It is a beautiful thing to be involved with and all encompassing. I love it. Very little else interests me as much.
WHAT MUSIC DO YOU ENJOY LISTENING TO?
I have an eclectic taste in music, which encompasses everything from disco to opera. I am though particularly drawn to music that moves me or touches my soul in some way. The majority of this is in the form of classical music. I think It’s to do with it being a non-verbal, totally abstract way of experiencing feeling. It’s something that for me relates to the language of painting.
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