Travels with my Art - writings, drawings and paintings by artist Chris Fothergill

Over the years Chris has visited many European destinations including Andalucia, Seville, Cordoba, Venice, Florence, Rome and Paris to name a few. His trips have culminated in exhibitions of paintings held at the Gallery over the last 20 years and in 2007 he held a sell-out 50th birthday anniversary show at the Weswoods Centre in Northleach.

Whilst it may seem like a great idea - traveling Europe without a care in the world, paints in tow, seeking out the perfect view. The reality is not quite that simple!

Chris's humorous and entertaining travelogues reveal some of the pitfalls and frustrations, as well as the joy of being a professional artist - hoping that his efforts abroad will continue to bring in a daily crust to continue supporting his family at home!

VAN GOGH'S BOOTS

Where better to start 'Travels with my Art' than with Van Gogh's boots? I know from experience how weary his feet must have been when he'd finished a day's painting 'en plein air'.

The picture here shows a copy I made of Van Gogh's original painting (from a postcard). I have just started painting in acrylics, after many years of watercolour as my main medium. Seeking inspiration one day, I saw the postcard on my wall, and made a copy. I did it in less than two hours, but am convinced that Van Gogh would have done it quicker. The brushstrokes are bold and quick, and I became bogged down in copying them all; he would have simply painted the boots. It gave me a good insight into his painting techniques.