IAN WEATHERHEAD
Whatever his subject, the spontaneity of Ian Weatherhead's paintings evokes an enjoyment of life. He is one of Britain's most original watercolourists, achieving the recognition he rightly deserves for his masterly paintings.
There is freedom in his work, a vibrancy of colour and line, controlled by an underlying sense of structure carried over from his days as an architect. Each scene is interpreted with an expressive, sweeping perspective, which is distinctive of his style. The handling is often reminiscent of John Piper and Raoul Dufy, whose influence he acknowledges, though the liveliness and freshness in his use of colour give his paintings a greater subtlety and charm.
Born in Yorkshire in 1932, Ian Weatherhead studied architecture at the University of London, and for some years worked as an architect on an archaeological mission in the Middle East. Now devoting himself fully to painting, architecture is still the main source of his inspiration, observed on travels across France form the Loire Chateaux to the coastal villages, and in Britain from the stately homes to Cheltenham's Regency Terraces. His Grand Tours to Italy have inspired the brilliant paintings of Tuscany classical villas, and the Piazzas of Venice.
In 1991, Ian Weatherhead received the Catto Gallery Award at the Royal Watercolour Society, a mark of his accomplishment. His work is consistently represented in the major watercolour exhibitions throughout the country.
