The National Acrylic Painters` Association (NAPA) was formed in 1985 as a vehicle to promote the excellence and innovation of acrylic paint. It evolved from the concept that acrylic paint is still largely unrecognised in its own right unlike oil and watercolour paints, and should enjoy equal status. Emerging in the twentieth century, it is the newest and still developing medium that is capable of the widest range of approaches in technique and methods.
Acrylic paint was first used in the 1940s and is a fast-drying paint made of pigment suspended in acrylic polymer emulsion. Most acrylic paints are water-based, but become water resistant when dry. Depending on how much the paint is diluted with water, or modified with acrylic gels, mediums, pastes, or other materials, the finished acrylic painting can resemble a watercolour, a gouache, or an oil painting, or have its own unique characteristics not attainable with other media. Famous acrylic painters include Warhol, Hockney and Lichenstein.
NAPA is a professional organisation of artists who exploit creatively the acrylic medium, using experimentation and imagination. Its members are accepted solely on the strength of their expressed work.
I have been a member for a few years. Although I do use oils, I love the added versatility and quick drying properties of acrylic paint. It mixes most readily with other media and, of course, I’m known for mixing materials such as sand, salt and metals in with other pigments. Acrylic paint also affords the really bold colours that I love. The finish I attain most closely resembles oil painting.
Each year NAPA holds a UK exhibition. This year’s exhibition is in Wells, Somerset. Previous exhibitions have included venues in London, Liverpool, Birmingham, Durham, Cardiff, Chichester and St Ives.
I’m delighted that two of my paintings have been selected to appear in the exhibition this year. Please do take a look at the whole exhibition if you’re in the area. There is some high quality work available.
One of my selected paintings, Salt Lines, forms part of my The Wild & the Still Collection – inspired by both my own amateur swimming and time spent watching both my young daughters compete in pool and open water swimming. Salt Lines is based on sea (wild) swimming. It represents the boundaries between bodies of water in the ocean and reflects man’s interaction with the sea in the form of a rusty projection. Male symbolism presents with the upward projectory. It is created with acrylics, sand, salt and resin on canvas board, mounted and framed in a white frame.
The other selected painting, Dangerous Goods 2, forms part of my Harbour Collection inspired by the elements to be found in a working harbour. It incorporates the International Code of Signals’ B for Bravo (in the red and white top left-hand corner) which, used as a single flag, means I am taking in or discharging dangerous goods – hence the title. It is created with acrylics, sand, wax and resin on canvas board, mounted and framed in a white frame. It is also available as a signed, limited edition print (1/20) for £95 unframed or £150 framed.
