Before Painting…
I've always loved to draw. From a young age I was encouraged by my parents with endless trips to the library and a good supply of pencils and poster paint.
In 2011 I graduated from the University of Plymouth with a First Class Hons in Illustration. Throughout my degree narrative had always been important, but it wasn't until my final year that I really became engrossed in children's books. After graduating I felt that I'd only just scratched the surface with something that I was really passionate about, so I packed my bags and moved to Cambridge to start the MA in Children's Book Illustration. In 2014 I graduated with full Distinctions.
In 2013 I was Highly Commended for The Macmillan Book Prize and in 2015 Lion Practice was published and has since been nominated for a number of awards including the Kate Greenaway Award and the Klaus Flugge Prize. Bears at the Beach, my second book with Macmillan, was published Summer 2016.
After Painting …
In January 2018 I suffered from a mental breakdown and realised my work was no longer making me happy. I sold my kiln and my potters wheel, shut my Etsy shop, and shortly after this left my literary agent. I knew that I had to start again with my creative practice so I returned to location drawing and I documented this on my Instagram page. My love for colour, experimental mark-making, and the landscape began to grow and I started experimenting with larger pieces of work.
I allow my creative intuition to guide me which has meant that my work has branched into several different outlets including large abstract canvases as well as quick expressive observational studies.
Currently …
It's been 4 years since I decided to take a leap of faith and follow my creative practice and it's grown into more than I could have ever imagined. I’m still often found drawing on location around Devon and Cornwall but I also now work with several UK galleries that sell my original paintings. My print shop is a collection of work from over the last few years, some are images directly from my sketchbook whereas others have been professionally photographed by a local Fine Art photographer and digitalised into a limited edition print run.
During the 2020 pandemic, I also launched a Patreon which is affectionately named The Paynes Grey Club where I share tips and advice about my practice but also encourage others to develop their own unique visual language.