Paul Acraman - artist

Plymouth-based artist, Paul Acraman, was born and brought up in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, England, an area which couldn't be further from the sea - now his main inspiration. In his childhood during the Sixties a trip to the seaside was an annual experience. Now he is fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the coast most days.

The sight of the sea still has a power to lift his spirit and soul. Being a keen surfer and sailor and spending as much time as he can on, in, or by the sea gives him a great understanding of its movement, colour and moods.

Through school he always had a talent for Art. In 1980 he obtained his BA (Hons) degree in Art and Design at North Staffordshire Polytechnic, specializing in Ceramics on a multi-disciplinary design course.

He moved to Devon in the early 80's, settled in Plymouth, and produced stoneware ceramics for ten years.

It was his love of the sea that inspired him to start painting again. During this time he also began working as an art tutor. In his tuition work he found himself encouraging his students in their own creativity and self-expression, yet realized he himself was merely painting pretty landscapes. Thus started a time of development and evolution in his paintings which still continues to this day.

Paul's favourite subjects are seas, water, skies and trees - elements which are constantly changing. They provide him with a continuing inspiration, demanding many different techniques, styles and media.

Colour, light and movement are his inspiration and motivation. His strong, bright paintings are more than just representational seascapes and landscapes. He observes, highlights and interprets the beauty within the world around us.

His palette is based almost exclusively on spectrum colours and his technique is to always use direct, strong strokes of brush or palette knife.

Paul's tuition work now consists of small, privately run classes and one-day workshops.

Paul also does occasional television work and will grasp any opportunity to share his experience of art and the beauty of the natural world.

Paul is married to Rosie, has two children - Lucie and Christopher - and everything he paints is dedicated to them.