Originally from Harrogate, marine artist and photographer, Ian Burdall, now lives in Saltaire. His interest in photography started early in life:
I used my Dad’s camera to take pictures of places as they were reflected in the curved chrome (well-polished) hub-caps of his car … With the camera I like to separate shapes and line and abstract common objects into things (hopefully) of beauty. I take photographs of almost anything as the composition is what I’m after rather than the scene.
His professional interest in photography has extended to oil painting and he now combines both mediums. He is drawn to paint and photograph coastal scenes, particularly featuring boats, and his work is regularly exhibited in the Saltaire Arts Trail and Staithes Arts and Heritage Festival. Two of Ian’s paintings were also accepted for the Harrogate Open at the Mercer Gallery, 2017.
He has said of the Staithes Arts and Heritage Festival:
The first festival I exhibited only my photography, but since then I have concentrated on my paintings. I am interested in colour, shape and line in both mediums and like to find and extenuate geometry, getting lines straight in photographs and continuing lines in paintings … I particularly enjoy photographing and painting boats in Staithes and South Gare, the fishing huts are amazing in Port Mulgrave and Paddy’s Hole.
The whole way of life in the area is etched everywhere by the foot prints of its industry and people, but nothing is powerful or invasive enough to stop it being beautiful not even the steelworks in Redcar which is another regular subject of mine.
‘Brent Alpha rig being demolished on The Tees.
Artist’s contact point: Facebook