Local inspires through art
After several years of playing the piano professionally, he was forced to slow down in the world of art, but, he still manages to maintain exceptional quality in all of his paintings.
Neville Pickford, who is a self-taught artist encourages others to relish in the joys that come with creating art. He is able to paint breathtakingly beautiful pieces. He first picked up a paintbrush when he was 12-years-old and now, some 70 years later, his undying love for art still remains rife. During his early years, he was influenced by two well-known South African fine artists, Christopher Haw and John Smith.
After several years of playing the piano professionally, he was forced to slow down in the world of art, but, he still manages to maintain exceptional quality in all of his paintings.
“It was quite a long time ago when I started painting. I still try to keep up to date with my art. I was in England not very long ago and I just recently finished a painting of a river in Oxford, England. I do wildlife, landscape and seascape paintings,” said the awe-inspiring artist.
His medium of choice is oil paint.
“I get most of my inspiration from southern Africa, mainly because I lived in Zimbabwe for a while and was able to travel around and connect with wildlife. I have lived in Amanzimtoti for the past 15 years and I take inspiration from the area. It takes me about a week and a half to complete a painting. I have done several murals as well and the biggest was 15 metres long and two meters high.”
His art can be viewed at the Illovo Beach Gallery.
