An interview with Tom Shea

In the next series of artist interviews, we speak to Tom Shea from Wales. Tom is a painter whose favourite medium is oil paint. He’s inspired by the likes of Caravaggio, Joaquin Sorolla and Sargent.

When he’s not painting, Tom enjoys spending time with his family and indulging in the simple pleasure of good conversation and good company. He lives with his wife and their Chihuahua, with their son and daughter-in-law just a few minutes away. They’ve recently welcomed a granddaughter to the family.

We talk to Tom about his artistic journey and creative inspiration.

What’s your earliest memory of creating or enjoying art?

My earliest memory of creating art was at age 7. The primary school I attended turned into a community centre in the early evening. I would go to the art class with a friend where you were given paper and colour pencils and then left to your own devices.

I always asked my friend to draw me a horse. His horses had thickness to them – he would do parallel lines for the legs and body and I could colour between the lines. Mine were more like matchstick men / horses as that’s what mum would show me when we played.

One day my friend could not go to the class so I went on my own. I stared at the paper and thought “oh well I’ll have to do it myself now”. It was as if I went into a daze and when I woke up I had drawn a piebald horse. It was curved, fetlocks and all, and I had the realisation that I could draw and it filled me with delight. I had to practice and still do.

Tell us about the work you create. What inspires you?

I study artists from times gone by to get insight into how they painted and do images after them. I then look at doing my own compositions attempting to utilise some of their methods.

Caravaggio is one painter that inspires me, hence why I’m studying his work. Joaquín Sorolla, a Spanish impressionist painter, is another. I was fortunate to see his work at an exhibition this summer in London. I was amazed how he captures light and sun reflecting on skin, sail and water and I wanted to see if I could create that. There are other influences such as Sargent and the impressionists.

Do you have a favourite medium and why?

My favourite medium is oil paint because of its versatility in terms of painting indirectly using glazes or directly as in Alla prima. I enjoy its buttery consistency with the ability to change its feeling and consistency under the brush.

How do you find time to inject creativity in your everyday?

It is more like how do I find time to inject everyday life into my creativity!  Creativity comes first and then I work around it to fit other things in I have to do. Admittedly, some chores just have to be done and the painting waits. Other times I’m thinking about painting although I’ve not picked a brush up. This is usually when I am having a particular challenge. I do have to keep an eye on having balance which can get out of kilter.

I do believe it is important though to drop tools for family, friends and visitors. I like to give them my full attention, time and energy. It says something about the importance of human beings, and is something I learned from an old friend and mentor many years ago.

What does living a life full of colour mean to you?

I may not always do these things consistently; however, rising early, getting a head start on the day, beginning with a spiritual moment – a simple prayer, a moment of silence and being aware, reading a small piece for self-development, exercise such as Tai Chi or qui gong, and eating and drinking the right things that make me feel better.

Time, silence and conversation with my wife, family and friends.  Watching TV is like chewing gum for the mind, although I would like to find a more mindful way of being relaxed even in activity. I do like films and the occasional cinema outing.

Going to my cabin to paint, draw or work out compositions or other projects.

What brings you the greatest joy in creating art?

Those moments when I apply the paint and feel it is doing its work, all is going in the right direction and I sense this is a good painting.  It makes me feel pleased. That’s not to say some time later I may find something to critique, alternatively I may see it quite some time later and still be pleased that the painting holds up. Those moments make me feel lighter in heart.

What is the biggest tension in creating art?

The biggest tension is saying yes to too many things and not giving myself enough time to complete them. This is when I end up pushing it too much so I no longer enjoy it and it is about just getting it done. My process involves a lot of thinking time before execution and sometimes during.

What do you want your art to be known for?

Simply for the joy it gives people to see and a narrative unfolding.  There will of course be other elements in that like light.  As I develop and explore I feel in future other elements may come to the fore.