One could be forgiven for thinking that the tiny studio on Tuckton Road Christchurch might not have enough exhibition space to be taken seriously, but that would be a mistake. True, there is not a lot of space and if you wanted to swing a cat around this would not be your first choice of location. As a studio-cum-gallery however all the available wall space is occupied with landscapes, portraits of movie stars and animal portraits, the products of many, many hours of dedicated and focused work.
Rod Pease was introduced to brushes and paints in 1970 at the age of twelve when his father presented him with a painters box set. While Rod,who attended art college at the age of sixteen and seventeen wanted to paint, his father wanted him to have a “real job”. So it was that he entered the world of employment as an apprentice tool-maker, a very technical and precise trade, now a quality which is reflected in much of his work today.
Rod, who also lived in the Netherlands for some time was able to have one-to-one tuition while living in Almelo, a town of approximately 72 000 people. It was only in May of this year, 2011, that Rod finally made the transition from tool-maker to full-time artist. Since then he has spent all his time behind the large shop window from where he can be seen from the street, painting at of his easel.
I spotted the little studio some months back and, ever curious and keen to meet a fellow artist, I turned the door knob one Saturday morning and introduced myself. Rod, who is of sight build and keen eye is a friendly and very helpful chap and I can guarantee that you will always find him ready to welcome you and open to talk about his work.
Rod has a very distinct style and gives great attention to detail. This I assume is a trait he developed from years of work machining items and components of incredibly accurate proportions and measurement. While I consider a tape measure with millimeters to be accurate, Rod’s choice of measuring tool would be a micrometer, parameters too tight for an impressionist brush like mine.
In the studio you will discover a mix of subjects, landscapes, portraits, figurative works and animal portraits, each painted with care and flair, capturing atmosphere and character alike. I am particularly struck by Rods use of colour, especially in his more dramatic sunsets. Rod’s palate is a colourful one but his mixing and use of colours remains true to the scenes he paints. There is a lovely naive richness about his application of colour, a richness which would throw some artists onto a panic. Rod however captures his subjects with a optimistic eye and a warm blend of colour; the more I see his work the more I like it.
Rod is also a member of “the Hub”, a group of local artists who meet regularly and who are seeking greater local and trans-local recognition. He is a member of the Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce and has a strong belief in local businesses and the role it plays in sustaining the area’s character and prosperity.
If you are passing by and Rod is in, why not pop in for a visit, view his work and be inspired. Better sill, why not take a piece of his work home, you will find Rob’s art well priced and affordable. There is simply nothing as good as an original work on your wall, l especially when you know the artist.
Thornwood Studio 