Philip Watkins Glamorgan, United Kingdom
I'm a painter. Here's a link to little filmed interview that was done to coincide with my selection for the 2022 National Eisteddfod of Wales. https://culturecolony.com/en/media/video/y-lle-celf-2022-philip-watkins
I am interested in townscapes and the urban environment, particularly seaside resorts or industrial sites/estates and parks-anywhere where human activity comes up against nature, maybe reflecting the fact that my mother was a farmer and my father was a railwayman and I grew up in, what is now, post-industrial South Wales. I also spent several years as a Youth Worker on some of Cardiff’s peripheral housing estates, where I was attracted (if that’s the right word) by a certain concrete bleakness in the architecture and atmosphere. Often the places that act as starting points for paintings have a personal association, sometimes they are just places I come across where I get a particular feeling of desertion.
I studied Fine Art at Newport Art College and have done various jobs to subsidise painting/ I spent twelve years in animation – winning a BAFTA and an EMMY as part of the Siriol Animation team. I also spent some time as a Youth Worker as previously mentioned, this following on from teaching drawing to young offenders. In 2002 I stopped work to paint full time but still taught a few Adult Education classes. In 2020 I was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus. After intensive radio and chemotherapy and three operations I got back to painting. The operations damaged my shoulder muscles somewhat and I built up my strength and stamina by principally working flat on paper as I couldn't work at an easel for too long. I used my sketchbooks as starting points until I could go and stand around drawing again. I’ve concentrated on light and how it determines mood. I have recently been elected Chairperson of the Welsh Group of artists. https://www.thewelshgroup-art.com/philip-watkins
Artwork
Canton Back Lane, Oil on Canvas£, 2014, 450
The Waltzer, Oil on Canvas, 2025, £2000
Funhouse, Oil on Canvas, 2025, £2000
Estate Subway 2, Ink and lost gouache, 2021, £500
Demolition Site, 2019, £2500
Classroom, Oil on canvas, 2018, 2500
Landing, Oil on canvas, 2018, £2500
Backs of Houses, ink and lost gouache, 2021, £500
Cinema, Oil on canvas, 2019, SOLD
Back Lane, Ink and Lost Gouache, 2021, £500
Betting Shop, Oil on Canvas, 2022, £2000
Platform, Oil on Canvas, 2022, £600
Dodgems, Oil on Canvas, 2024, £5000
M5, Oil on Canvas, 2024, 800
University, Oil on Canvas, 2023, £600
Paper Sun, Oil on Canvas, 2024, £400
Lonely Hearts Club., Ink on Paper, 2024, £300
Looking South - West., Pastel, 2025, £600
Upcoming events
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Dark to Light
Art Central | Exhibition | 31/10/2026 to 09/01/2027
The 'South Wales' showing of the show that was first exhibited in the Royal Cambrian Academy in Conwy, North Wales.