About the Artist

Samuel Durkin was born in 1972 in Portsmouth England. he grew up in Wallingford, a small town in Oxfordshire, England. His Mother a local artist ran an art shop and gallery in the town, he was always surrounded by art and artists. Self taught, as with most youngsters, he never listened to his mother. Although as he gets older he realizes his style has been influenced by all her art that which he saw as he grew up.

He was a sickly nervous child, and spent much of his time away from school. This time was used for painting and drawing.

He studied at Bournemouth and Poole Art Collage for a few of years. But learnt nothing of any use. After which became withdrawn and quite unwell. Living alone, not seeing anyone for weeks at a time. Spending all his spare cash on paint and canvas then painting his way out of his darkness. Teaching himself new ways to approach art. He did sell some work in this time but was generally unable to apply myself to anything more than painting.
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Turbulent times

Drummer... Parties... Excess... Experimentation... Use... Writing... Communal house... Paint... Poverty... Paranoia... Sickness... Madness... Medication...

Now many years later, he met his girlfriend. The stability of her love now makes it possible for him to continue painting and to sell it and run this website as well. While he does have times of bad anxiety and depression, he also has moments of great insight and passion. It is art, the love of his girlfriend and appreciation of those who buy his art that keeps him focused.

His work abstract and impressionist, trying to keep a balance between identifiable images and a painterly abstraction. He has become best know for his nude and cityscape painting. The focus is on the painting technique and the beauty of form. His work expresses his feelings thought the paint and is designed to enlighten your life.

The Watcher

This piece is was created during the time he had his first mental breakdown at about the age of 20. He has never put it up for sale, and says it never will be. This image haunted him day and night. He saw it in the patterns in tarmac and drew it directly onto his trousers. Then in a 5 week long session painting everyday, this was the final result. This piece marked a distict turn in his artist style, but feeling he had created his best work almost crippled his ability to continue. After finishing it he stopped painting and didn't pick up a brush again for 5 years. He has come to realize this was a self portrait. The style now influences all his others work and some have said that it resembles some of Francis Bacons paintings. Although this style was developed in a dark mental state, he has applied it to much more aesthetic images.

About his Artwork

Although often specializing in artistic nude canvas paintings, his work encompasses a wide variety of subjects. He sells signed prints, original artwork, has downloadable images and music.

The art work is a balance between abstraction and realism. Pulling both together and bringing both disciplines to form a self contradictory abstract realism. This allows interaction between the art and the viewer. What the artist brings to the piece is only part of the art, what you see and how you feel about it is what completes the work. When you own the original, it is you who finished the piece. Where you choose to hang it and what you feel about it are the final strokes that complete the work.

Click here for > Art for sale to buy online from this Artist

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Commission a painting or drawing.

If you wish to commission a piece of Artwork please contact me via this website. Email

I do not accept all commissions as I prefer to make good art over making easy money. Quality of artwork and the happiness of my customers is paramount to me. If I don't think I can do justice to your project, I will not waste our time.

If your not happy I'm not happy.

When I do accept a commission, I ask for a non-refundable 50%. This is to cover some of my time and materials.

I give some idea of price and requirements below, but everything can be up for discussion

Commissions from Photographs

The photographs for commissioned work,should be of good quality. Absolute Minimum size is 300 pixels (along the shortest side) the picture must be in focus with good lighting and sent by email. The quality of the photograph will effect the quality of the final piece. If I do not believe I can make a good painting or drawing I will not accept the commission.

If you live in the Hampshire UK Area I can arrange to take photographs myself. Add approx £50 plus any travel or studio expessnce I may incure. This serivice also gives you prints and a CD for yourself, as well as the referance material I will need to make your painting or drawing.

I do prefer to work from professionally taken photographs, but if you have a good photograph you think I can work with, i'm happy to take a look. I can also find reference material myself if you have an idea, but no images.

Portraits are based on one photograph with a maximum of 2 people.

Please do not ask me to combine several photogrpahs together to make one image unless you want to look like some kind of Frankenstein's Monster or extremely abstract.

Nude and Portrait Painting Commission

Nude and Portrait painting is always in my own semi abstract impressionist style and based on your own photograph or one you have suggested. I am very liberal minded and will do private nude commission work that is a little more explicit than art I have on display here. (although obviously I will not work on anything that depicts or promotes anything illegal or that I feel has no artistic worth)
You can also choose the level of abstraction from mild and impressionistic to extreem and cubist.

Price guide:
Size 20" x 16" (50cm x 40cm)
From £200
Size 30" x 24" (75cm x 60cm)
From £500

Abstract Commission

Abstract paintings should specify a main colour and secondary colour. Give an idea of preferred design elements. The abstract can be based on something real if preferred and the level of abstraction discussed.

Price Guide:
50cm x 40cm
From £50
75cm x 60cm
From £100
Multi Canvases are an option as well.
Normally double price if semi abstract.

Drawing Commission

Detailed Drawings are always done on A4 paper. It is vital that photos for these drawings are of good quality, as details cannot be invented only removed.

Price Guide:
From £50

Testimonial

"Recently I commissioned Sam to paint an abstract 'London Night Sky' for my companies board room in London. From initial concept to final painting Sam was regularly in touch and interpreted the brief perfectly.

I spotted his work initially on the internet and watched his style develop over a few months before commissioning this work. I am very pleased with his work and will almost certainly be commissioning future pieces, both for business and personal enjoyment, and would be happy to recommend his work to anyone."


Geoff Wilkinson
MRICS MBEng MIOD MCMI FFB
Director
Butler & Young Group Ltd