Since 2023 I have primarily worked in oil pastel on paper creating small scale works which are then scanned and transposed to much larger scale unique works on paper. I also produce exclusive limited editions on aluminium.
My first encounter with oil pastels was during a trip to Florence, Italy in January 2023. As we walked around the streets of the beautiful renaissance city I was struck by the softness of the Intonaco walls [lime plaster] and the time-worn architecture. I instantly felt the creamy, buttery texture of oil pastel perfectly complimented these architectural features and the general velvety aesthetic of pastel created a sense of opulence but, also age and history.
While learning the art of paper marbling with the Italian artisan Maria Giannini she very kindly suggested I visit the Zecchi art store near the famous Cattedrale Santa Maria del Fiore. Here I discovered an Aladdins Cave of art materials including a selection of oil pastels and also picked up a pad of newsprint-style paper.
I immediately set to work sketching the partial outline of the Santo Spirito basilica located around the corner from our hotel, Oltrarno Splendid, our go-to when in Florence and incidentally the creation of Florence artisan and world famous calligraphy artist Betty Soldi whose eclectic collaborations include packaging for Waitrose and bespoke products for luxury retailer Ferragamo.
My growing collection of Italian themed oil pastel works on paper were later spotted by hip Oltrarno-based Michelin Guide restaurant il Santo Bevitore who placed selected works on the cover of their menus from June - October 2024. I was also interviewed by The Florentine magazine and later commissioned to create the cover art for their January 2025 issue distributed throughout Florence and Tuscany.
Today, I actually paint very little preferring to remain with the medium of oil pastel and also oil sticks predominately on paper. I enjoy working at a small scale and then seeing how these lesser works become very strong and powerful, Romanesque in their majesty, when transposed to large scale works on paper.
I hope you enjoy these works as much as I do creating them.
Best Wishes
Teddy.
