Michael Stanger

Michael Stanger is our first featured artist with a studio at the hive of activity that is Inky Cuttlefish. An important feature of E17's creative landscape, it is also a major Art Trail venue so expect a lot more from Inky Cuttlefish artists to follow.

1. Please tell us about the work you will be showing in the 2009 E17 Art Trail?


I am showing the paintings that I have produced in my space at Inky Cuttlefish over the last year. These are mainly acrylic on canvas, landscapes and abstract-landscape both invented and from life or photographs. My sources include Epping Forest, biblical stories and architectural themes.

2. Could you have done this work anywhere, or is it specific to E17? Did you respond to the Art Trail theme ‘At Home’?
The work is not specific to E17 nor does it follow the Art-Trail theme.

3. Have you participated in the E17 Art Trail before?
Yes, last year from the same studio, but only unofficially.


4. How does your work this year relate to your previous artistic practice?

All my work is part of a continuum going back to schooldays from 1966 onwards. I have been painting and drawing for many years and my work has passed through many phases in that time. A pattern has stayed with me all that time. Colour is always at the front; some work is from life, some not, but almost none of it could be called academic. I have only produced one life-painting which could be called finished, in my life. The result was competent, but lacking fire. I tend to go straight to paint missing out intervening stages. Although I have attended life-classes off and on since 1971 the resultant drawings rarely find their way into my paintings, although the discipline involved has I daresay improved my draughtsmanship. My most affecting drawings tend to be rapid, energetic and gestural without being academically correct. Having said that my eye-hand co-ordination and grip of proportion are better than this description would suggest.

I trained at an art school as an architect and still practice architecture on a modest scale from a drawing board rather than using Cad. Years ago a good Friday would be drawing in an architectural office all day then going to a life-class and then to the pub.


5. What challenges (if any) do you face in realising this work?
Sustaining momentum and avoiding overworking and losing freshness and urgency.

6. Who is this work for?
For me and anyone who gets pleasure from seeing it.

7. As well as being an artist what else do you do?
I work as an architect from home.

8. What is your favourite place in E17?
I would have to say the studio. E17 gets shabbier year by year but I have met many artists here which has cheered me somewhat.