ARTIST PAUL SAGOO
Early Years
I’ve been interested in art for as long as I can remember. Looking back, I had some good art teachers at school in Nairobi and I guess I took on board a lot of what they taught me.
I loved to paint animals, birds, butterflies and people. I also enjoyed copying paintings by Goya, Van Gogh and Rembrandt but the effort was, of course, laughable, as I only possessed two pencils and a few pots of poster paint.
Nevertheless, some of the work was good enough to win prizes in school competitions and the experience motivated me to paint more. However, making time for painting was not so easy as I grew older.
After I moved to the UK and qualified first as a barrister and then as a solicitor, I began to build my career, together with getting married and raising our children. During this time, painting and drawing had to be put on hold.
“Because watercolor actually moves on the paper, it is the most active of all mediums, almost a performance art.”
NITA ENGEL
American Artist
RETIREMENT
Freedom and Passion
When I retired from my law practice in 2008, I decided to have another go at learning to paint. This time I devoted much more time to it, and sought the instruction of an excellent local watercolour artist, Cecil Rice. Painting finally became my first priority – even golf had to take second place!
I tried watercolours, acrylics and pastels. Everyone told me that watercolours are the hardest of all mediums to work with. However, I was quite taken by the challenge of learning to paint with watercolours. So I stuck with it and was determined to try to master a few techniques.
I’m inspired by the styles of great artists such as Mary Whyte, John Blockley, David Bellamy, David Curtis, Heather Soan and many more. Cecil Rice has been extremely helpful with his guidance and instruction.
“With watercolour, you can’t cover up the marks. There’s the story of the construction of the picture, and then the picture might tell another story as well.”
DAVID HOCKNEY
British Artist
iNSPIRATION
Choosing Subjects
As for subject matter, I’m fascinated by people going about their daily business. For me, everyday life provides a great source of material for my work. I’ve been known to whip out my camera in a restaurant to capture an image of a chef in an open kitchen. I often take photos of street musicians on my travels to use in the composition of my paintings. You’ll find that many of my paintings are of musicians, as music has always been a great passion of mine.
I love painting water scenes, as water has movement and reflections. Venice features often in my work; it is a city that’s close to my heart. My wife and I had our first holiday there before our children arrived, and we have returned to visit several times. As far as iconic landscapes and architecture go, I haven’t visited all the places in my paintings, but I willingly accept photo donations from friends, family and Pinterest.
“In watercolor, if you are not in trouble, then you’re in trouble”
SELMA BLACKBURN
American Artist
MY WEBSITE
Thanks
Thank you for visiting my website and showing an interest in my work. I hope you enjoy looking at my paintings and drawings as much as I enjoy producing them.
Paul Sagoo, 2017
“Where oils lumber, watercolors prance!”
DOUG MAYS
British Artist
