musetouch_issue_24

When I was younger I did a lot of disturbing horrific subject matter and themes, dealing with
Shock & Horror, such as Bruegal’s Triumph of Death and skeletons! I even did a painting called
“After the Rape” in Preraphalite realism. I cringe when I think of it nowadays as it must have offended
many people! Although I don’t remember anybody saying so.
I think most people realized that I was trying to show the Pathos in such a subject. These days
I’m still interested in death of course, but I think I’m more subtle. I have always had a fascination
with beautiful subjects, especially women and I love painting them, especially getting a
good expression or gaze! I rarely use a model for a painting. I prefer to make it up and invent a
woman out of my head. This doesn’t always work out well and I often as I call it reach the top of
the mountain then with too many strokes of the brush start the descent down the other side into
the abyss! So I either scrap it or resort to using a model.
I am an Intuitive painter. If it doesn’t work in an Intuitive way, I can’t progress. I don’t suppose
that’s all that unusual really, I suppose all artists are intuitive!”
Mike Worrall
musetouch 46
mikeworrall.com