Jonathan Chapman (J K Chapman)

Freelance Artist and Illustrator
Bachelor of Fine Art

Exhibitions

American English, Curwen and New Academy Gallery, London (2008)
Back to the Very Heart of It, Artspace Galleries, London (2007)
Back to the Very Heart of It, NGC, Sunderland (2007)
Hard Candy, North Tyneside Hospital, North Tyneside (2007)
Hard Candy, The Art Works Gallery, Ouseburn (2006)
Northern Graduates, Curwen and New Academy Gallery, London (2006)
Postcards to Knowhere, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle (2006)

Achievements

Exclusive, Style and culture magazine, 2007
Living North, Style and culture magazine, 2007
Affordable Art fair, Battersea, 2007
Museum of Antiquities Newcastle, Charity Christmas card design, 2006
The Telegraph, Arts and Culture Review, 2006 [View Article]
OPUS Gallery, Northern Graduates, 2006
Affordable Art fair, Battersea, 2006
Curwen and New Academy Gallery, Northern Graduates, 2006
METRO, Arts and Culture Review, 2006

I like to see my work as a striking contradiction of impressionism and graphic illustration, taking influence from both modern and traditional methods of communicating information/narrative. In the past i've made studies of small suburban areas and vast cityscapes, soaked in colour and framed by dark inks. I try to make each canvas a postcard of unchartered territory, mixing together natural elements with manmade structures and capturing a sense of the unfamiliar.

Most of my inspiration comes from traveling in Europe and North America, where the visual and cultural appearances are a striking contrast to the colour and atmosphere of what we are used to experiencing here in the UK. I particularly enjoyed the chance to explore new places at my own pace, especially at certain times of the day when the streets were desolate - like Hollywood Western movie sets.

Although i'd normally be planning my next inspirational field trip by now, I decided the time was right to return to education and work towards a Masters. I'm currently completing a part time MA at the Winchester School of Art. But not too worry, i'm continuing my freelance projects, private commissions and boosting my CV by aiming towards Adobe certification in the Creative Suite. All of which is keeping me a busy, but very happy artist!