Western Morning News (Saturday)
Solo Show brings colour and delight
MIKE Bernard’s paintings never fail to hit the spot! Few artists have such an innate gift to perceive intuitively an original perspective from which their compositions flow. This show, Mike’s twelfth at Marine House at Beer going back 20 years, focuses on subjects ever present in Mike’s mind, locations he frequently re-explores.
They include South West England, London, Italy, France and Venice. In addition, we are treated to some compelling still lifes and figurative studies.
Mike cut his artistic teeth at the Royal Academy Schools and went on to become an inspirational art teacher. He was elected to become a Fellow of The Royal Society of Painters in Watercolours (RI).
Trained as an oil painter he migrated to his signature collage mixed media style initially to encourage his students to have greater confidence when confronted by a blank canvas. The results are compositions which reward exploration for their hidden detail and surprise.
When the technique is combined with Mike’s fine eye for compositional structure it is hardly surprising that his paintings receive such extensive recognition worldwide.
Mike Bernard RI is holding a Solo Show at Marine House at Beer, March 25 to April 6, which is open every day. Enjoy a visit to Beer, on East Devon’s World Heritage “Jurassic” Coast.
Contact the gallery for a free catalogue 01297 625257 or info@ marinehouseatbeer.co.uk.
When the technique is combined with Mike’s fine eye for compositional structure it is hardly surprising that his paintings receive such extensive recognition worldwide.