Tim Hardy
Tim’s current exhibition is the outcome of his passion for drawing in its varied manifestations, both in subject matter and media. He values drawing highly for its immediacy and expressiveness, and drawing has been his primary practice over the past twenty years. The exhibition of works on paper includes large charcoal landscapes, pen and wash portraits, mixed media and monotype prints.
SAA: Tim, how would you describe your Arts Practice?
TH: I am in the fortunate retirement situation of choosing to embrace visual art as a central aspect of my life, without being dependent on my practice having to bring in an income. Since retiring over two decades ago, I have become passionate about the value of actually creating art works. While drawing is my primary interest, I also practice in other genres, including print making, watercolours and pastels. Every day there is normally some art activity for me, be it creating, or leading others, in art practice. I organise and lead a weekly drawing group for the Artists Society of Canberra, and have tutored other art groups over the past few years in drawing.
SAA: Have you done any study? Related to art or not?
TH: On retirement I immediately participated in tutored workshops and courses, including those offered in the Open Access program at the ANU School of Art. Typically I have attended one or more art courses annually, and have been fortunate to have been tutored by some leading inter-state artists.
The courses have covered a wide range of areas including watercolours, life drawing, pastels, printmaking, and all have been important in giving me a good foundation of knowledge and technical expertise. My extensive library of art books also has been invaluable in my art education.
Left: Cicada Emerging
Right: So, What’s Up
SAA: What would you like the community to learn from your current exhibition and work generally?
TH: I hope that people who view the exhibition might sense my passion for drawing. The title of this exhibition is an expression of that. I have taken some words from Vincent van Gogh who said "I sometimes think there is nothing so delightful as drawing." It is not widely known that van Gogh left us over a thousand striking drawings.
Drawing can directly and readily explore a limitless range of subjects, to be found in our lives and the contexts in which we live. I hope that my works will expand the viewer’s awareness and appreciation of hidden aspects of the subjects I have chosen to draw.
Drawing can be done in many different ways using a wide range of media. It is no longer restricted to monotones and dry media, using such traditional materials as graphite and charcoal.
One message relevant for some people might be that it is never too late to take up art. It was only when I retired that I commenced my adventure in creating art works, only then discovering that I had abilities and interests that had lain dormant throughout my working life.
SAA: What does a studio (or art work) day in your life look like?
TH: The vast majority of my art works I have begun in a setting of like- minded artists. I gain energy and stimulation from working with art colleagues, all pursuing their own creative goals. This usually happens in an art Society studio, and sometimes in a plein air setting. Typically I complete a work in my home studio a few days later, when I have the opportunity to reflect about its direction and potential resolution.
SAA: How have you grown as an artist since starting out?
TH: I commenced my learning through watercolours and drawing workshops and group activity. A few years later I took up pastels and printmaking, which encouraged me to employ mixed media in my approaches. I recognised that much of what I had learned in one medium transferred to another. Embracing a range of media, with their different elements, broadened my horizons and enriched my work.
As my knowledge and expertise of techniques and strategies gradually increased, so did my confidence. Crucially I developed a deeper understanding of what I was aiming to achieve in creating art. The latter I achieved through a great deal of reading about the nature and value of art, becoming familiar with the many different paths taken by artists throughout history.
While I had exhibited in group exhibitions for more than a decade, selling works and winning awards, it took courage for me to have my first solo exhibition in 2015. The success of that show encouraged me to initiate a weekly drawing group for the Artists Society of Canberra. That group is now in its seventh year, and the invaluable learning that I achieved from demonstrating and leading participants opened up other avenues for me. These include giving demonstrations and workshops for a number of art Societies.
For many years I did not believe I had the basis to call myself an artist. However an artist residency during 2017, living and drawing in the beautiful Cataract Gorge in Tasmania, finally convinced me that it was probably ok for me to do so!
SAA: What do you read, watch, listen to, do, to stay inspired?
TH: Once I developed the ability to see, to see deeply through drawing, then anything and everything in my environment had the potential to inspire me. So just going for a walk can be inspirational. Whenever I travel I will take basic art materials, including a sketch book and camera. Inevitably I will discover many possible subjects.
I constantly collect printed materials, especially photos, in small display books when I have decided that an item might stimulate a future work. Months or years later that often proves to be the case.
I continuously read books about art and artists. I am fortunate as a volunteer to be in charge of the Art section for the Canberra Lifeline Bookfair, which means I am handling such books throughout the year (like working in a chocolate factory!). I also subscribe to email art newsletters and blogs which provide inspiration on a regular basis.
Attending exhibitions is an important activity that I always find stimulating. I am often surprised by what I see. That means, I think, that the exhibiting artist has succeeded!
Shepherds Lookout
SAA: Do you have any advice for young artists?
TH: I recommend strongly that an artist, no matter what their medium, should include drawing as a regular practice. Drawing is a readily accessible means of sharpening and maintaining the essential ability to see, to explore ideas, and to experiment. All of that suggests that drawing is a foundation for all forms of the visual arts.
On two walls of my studio I have posted inspiring quotations. One of those is from the revered US art teacher Robert Henri, author of The Art Spirit, who said “The artist’s job is to surprise himself. Use all means possible.” I think that Henri is suggesting that young artists should recognise that they are on a life-long quest and adventure. At all costs they should avoid falling into a rut and becoming complacent, and that means maintaining the commitment to take creative risks in their work.
I believe that art and life, in all of its complexity, are inextricably bound together. I would hope that every artist seeks to create works that are authentic, revealing truths about the human condition. In that respect we should remind ourselves that any work that we create is in a sense a self-portrait.