Malcolm Dobbins

Living near the Northumberland coast as well as serving nine years in the Royal Navy have strongly influenced Malcolm Dobbins’ work. An avid fell walker, his travels in Scotland and the Lake District have informed his most recent series of landscape paintings. He is inspired by American Abstract Realism, including the work of Hans Hofmann and Franz Kline. The British figurative painter, Keith Vaughan, has also been an influence. Malcolm completed a BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art and a MA degree in Art & Design at Sunderland University. He currently shows work in galleries in Northumberland, Ambleside, Edinburgh, Lauder and Perth. His paintings are in collections in Australia, Europe and the USA.

I work from a purpose-built studio to the rear of my house. Here I work full time, constructing commercial paintings as well as other personal work. Methodology is all important when supplying the commercial market; however, the work tends to lean towards the collector’s market. Artistic interpretation is extremely important to me and gives licence to creativity. However, my roots can be found in illustration. I’m never without a sketchbook, and use line drawings and digital imagery to inform paintings. My artistic approach might be described as Abstract Realism. By exaggerating colour, playing with perspective and finding good overall form, I come to a satisfying balance, where the image created has some physical qualities of the geographical location.

Much of my work is Lakeland based. Fells and tarns though the West coast of Scotland are also very close to my heart. Assynt in North West Highlands Geopark is a special place for me and the family. We’ve spent many holidays here walking, climbing and just enjoying the peace and tranquility. The four paintings I’ve chosen for the Northern Lights exhibition are based on the theme of Cul Beag, Four Seasons.