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Paul R FrancisPaul R Francis is a 43 year old artist from Liverpool. Since becoming a full time artist in 2006 he has exhibited in The Liverpool Academy of Arts, The Dot-Art Gallery, The Contemporary Urban Centre as well as being commissioned by the Liverpool Echo to paint a portrait of one of the local people that best represented ‘’The Spirit of Liverpool’’. BackgroundPaul did ’A level Art at Grammar school in Liverpool. After leaving education he took a job in the printing whilst also playing bass guitar in local bands. He returned to painting in his 40s which is his true love. He sees his painting as an analogy for music with his present work being his ‘’demo’’ period. Inspiration"I get my ideas from everyday situations, people in the street, sights and sounds, social problems, stereotyping, advertising, music, satire, the internet,TV, cinema, pop-art, impressionism, the past, the present and my imagination. I draw inspiration not just from artists, but filmakers and musicians also ranging from Gustav Caillebotte, Ed Hopper, Peter Weir, Sergio’s Leone, European cinema, The MC 5, The Stooges and original garage music. I see my future work veering even more toward people in their own enviroments, whether it be urban, rural, past, present or future, manipulated by the situations they find themselves in. Like stills from an imaginary film. I want to create a scene and not cater for one. The mavericks in popular art and culture over the last 100 or so years didn’t change peoples ideals by sticking to the conventional, they commented on what they saw around them, how times were changing and recorded the moment for their future and ours, and it is this that I also aim to achieve.’’ To Canvas"I will get an idea write down a title or description, or make a sketch, then file it. I will usually have a few of the ideas going around my head at any given time whilst scanning for source material, either from books, magazines or my own photographs. Then I will create a composition and expand the painting from there. I paint using acrylics, as they are quick drying and suit my environment. "
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