Nathan Ford: Painter

Celebrating Nathan Ford's 10th solo exhibition at Beaux Arts Bath. April 2021.
Images, details, prices: bit.ly/2Qvc6oL instagram: bit.ly/3eihHa2
Directed by double Emmy award winning cameraman Michael Pitts

[@kalayne6713]

There are art schools and there are art schools. My talented daughter, battling ill health, working nights, missing classes, dyslexic, was told by one particular teacher she would never make it, that her style was not trendy, that she would never get her essay in on time. Criticised like that, she went on to forge a style of digitally enhanced photography, got high distinctions for every assignment she did, and was told by the head teacher that she needed to leave and just start exhibiting, they could teach her no more, she was teaching them. But my daughter never finished her degree, her confidence so shattered that she now never picks up her camera...that first teacher is probably still employed, destroying the confidence of other vulnerable artists. This man gets it.

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you for taking the time to write this reply. I hope she picks the camera up again !!

[@kalayne6713]

@@beauxartsbath7195 So do I! Artists are pioneers, at the forefront of change, we must treasure each and everyone.

[@eagrinstead1]

@@kalayne6713 i wish i could erase the scars that teacher inflicted upon your daughters confidence. The closed mindedness of some teachers is appalling. From your story she is good enough and worthy! I too hope she picks up that camera again. I also hope her last instructor, having nothing left to teach her, would now be willing to help her find galleries that could support, critique her piece choices, and guide her. It can be a daunting task your first time.

[@johnprentice1527]

I can't tell what's more transfixing, looking at Ford's paintings or listening to him speak. Why choose. I'm so glad I ran into this video. Thank you.

[@pphedup]

"...& it's grey again & I'm going to continue to fight it...." That's beautiful.

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you

[@chaosparticles]

Nooooo! I didn't want the video to stop. Glorious. Love his work and the reality of art in his world (and his children's). Solid, honest advice for an artist too. Know yourself, be yourself, do your thing.

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thansk Simon, good of you to comment

[@rutbrea8796]

I like your work and life philosophy. I find it great! It's so wonderful when we discover who we really are, isn't it? I like the way you look at your surroundings, so softly and generous. Thanks for sharing.

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Yes! Thank you!

[@tomishalovely-allen6091]

So glad this video popped in my feed. Beautiful work and I love your portraits and the mood you create in your landscapes.

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you Tomisha

[@johannae1180]

The painting you did with your children is so beautiful. It says so much. Xx 💚

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thanks Johanna

[@kathysuits4749]

They could not teach you what has never been done. Your style was born with you. A gift from God.

[@Brainhoneywalker]

Are these your words? They spiraled to the core of my bones. Thank you seems not enough, Kathy Suits🌿 Just what I needed to hear, exactly when I needed to hear it most.

[@vickidavies1565]

Fascinating video, lovely to see how he included the influence and work of his children,

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thanks Vicki, glad you enjoyed it

[@markdonovan1540]

I really enjoyed hearing you speak about your art. I'm one of many newbies who somehow found art during the pandemic. At 62 and never having done much of an artistic nature, I've found myself exploring a whole new rabbit hole. It's long, deep and a confusing place at times; yet each new turn in the burrow reveals something of interest. I love how you involved your children in the painting, what a wonderful dad you must be to them.

[@dgallagher7029]

Great video and what a supportive Mum.

[@beauxartsbath7195]

The best!

[@kikoescora1522]

“You’re just looking.” Spot on! 👈🏽

[@beauxartsbath7195]

precisely !

[@Brainhoneywalker]

This should be at Sundance. It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen in my life (70). I immediately shared it with my Sis (65) and close friends. Nathan’s painting and his understanding of them and his process was amazing and beautiful. Thank you for posting this!

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thanks so much for your response Kweli. Very much appreciated.

[@alexfelker1348]

Great work of art mate! So soft and dense at the same time!

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thanks Alex, I like that description.

[@candaceheidenrich6278]

“All I can do is make a painting.” What a painting you make...just love the engagement with your kids. So true, they get it. The birds, the heap...it all tells the story. You are a humble master of art making.

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you Candace

[@tombryan720]

Beautiful work and view on life

[@daikayll1897]

I thought you weren't supposed to pick wild flowers ! Loved the vid and his ethics too. Will be looking out for him in the future. Thanx for posting.

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you Dai

[@Anne.2024]

Stunning work

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you so much 😀

[@felipebrockveld]

Congratulations Joe

[@MrRodgers007]

What a beautiful video.

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you very much. We loved making it

[@anilimo9296]

Beautiful work, so inspiring, thank you.

[@sharonbell8895]

your work is incredibly wonderful very simple and eloquent

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you very much!

[@amrit1957]

I am subscribing in the hope to see similar content in future. Keep up the good work. Thank you for not flooding the video with background music and letting his honesty come through.

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you

[@theirrationalmediasociety7993]

Love it

[@zoec4972]

just love love these artworks!

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you Zoe, nice of you to post a reply

[@alistairpraet9108]

Excellent video hope i get to meet him one day

[@beauxartsbath7195]

2023 we will have another show Alistair and you can come to beautiful Bath and say hi to Nathan

[@alistairpraet9108]

@@beauxartsbath7195 he will be my brother in law one day hopefully will meet him sooner lol thanks

[@howardtowler6146]

Beautiful images I love the one part of the that has a grounding with colour .

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thanks Howard

[@india1784]

Hi Nathan, I love your paintings! Our university didn't teach us technique at all. They wanted us to be original. I did learn how to think like an artist. I wish they had taught us about the business side of things. It was the only downside of the course. You seem to be doing well. Beautiful. I love gray paintings.

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you India

[@jojo081265]

tollles video - ich hab schon seit jahren darauf gewartet. danke. jo

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Danke !!

[@willf5360]

Inspiration.. Awesome

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Glad you liked it

[@brianbuday8639]

Dead clever and inspiring!👍🇨🇦

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you for taking the time to comment Brian

[@cynthiahawkins-owen8913]

You're right when in art school they want you to relinquish the control and allow the wonder to show through.

[@daveanderson8776]

Great comments my friend ,we all are moving along as artist like cats in different directions , unless of course we decide to follow the path layed down by the Cat in front of you . 🎨😉👍🏼 peace Ps love the 🐸

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thanks Dave. Glad you liked the frog.....

[@ulrikehoffmann4315]

Sehr gut

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Danke !!

[@ulrikehoffmann4315]

@@beauxartsbath7195 Stimmt doch😁

[@swordssolitude3861]

Go mom

[@donnagoode6923]

One of the worst things about income inequality is that great art can only be owned by the wealthy. At least there is KZbin for the rest of us.

[@madman3891]

thats not true at all, Herbert and Dorothy Vogel are good examples that you dont need to be wealthy to own 'great' art.

[@pablosmoglives]

Enjoy your free download and fake Cardi B. songs as the world your entitled attitude has destroyed burns around you.

[@DiamondCutter423]

Yes it is true that personas or characters make cameo appearances in an artist's paintings. And the artist many times doesn't do it consciously, the character emerges or is born into the painting's composition.

[@pongtrometer]

wonderful outlook and pieces Mr.Nathan.Ford ...thanks to the many mums that encourage creativity , and the pursuit of it.

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@leilaskye8143]

Your art reminds me of the great contemporary Scandanvian artists. Keep going you are so talented.

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you Leila

[@pete4537]

Love the music.....already loved Nathan’s work since the first show....

[@marquamfurniture]

Is Joachim Ford (music) any relation to Nathan Ford?

[@pete4537]

@@marquamfurniture I think he is his son...

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Joachim is his youngest son - have a look at the website - Nate has done a portrait of him and his brother. Thanks for commenting John

[@marquamfurniture]

@@beauxartsbath7195 Thank you, and Pete Cernis for response. So MUCH talent in one family!

[@artwerksDallas]

Incredibly insightful. What can you say that he isn't already expressing

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you

[@d.rabbitwhite]

I love this guy ...as far as I know him. The work I already had affinity for upon first view. There is a quality to the line that hits me in the same way that Egon Shiele's lines, do. Schiele is the god of my idolatry.

[@observer6675]

I love the contemplative mode of this film, skilfully constructed to reflect the spirit of the painter and his take on things. Notable phrases: “In the moment… ” “Accepting the life he was born into… ” “It’s what people do… ” = philosophic and pragmatic. The background music is unobtrusive but subtly echoes those sentiments, much like the background music in some of Wong Kar-Wai’s films, e.g. Yumeji's Theme by Shigeru Umebayashi. Michael Pitts ensures his shots are carefully framed, focusing on things that matter. Again, this is much like the filming style of Wong Kar-Wai e.g. “In the Mood for Love” and “2046” where he frames his characters in their solitary contexts. In Michael’s film there is evidently an interviewer, but all we see and hear is the interviewee. The closing moments (11:14 to 12:10) transition from the painter’s intensive interest in the minutia of his work-to the broader elements of city at night. You must watch those closing moments. Full of contrast, dark and light, stillness and movement, and concluding with frames of a hooded man (or person), walking towards you and past you, a nondescript figure clearly on a mission...

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you for your comments.

[@deborahmeyers7839]

Nathan your greys are beautiful artwork it's uniquely you it's fighting for survival don't fight your own unique beautiful artwork embrace your beautiful greys I don't see grey I see your artwork is beautiful ♥️

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you Deborah

[@andreamaiorana8490]

Love your portraits!

[@3158David]

Inspirational artist, subscribed 🙂

[@beauxartsbath7195]

thank you

[@poudredeperlimpinpin9216]

suggestive painting bravo travail très délicat, j'adore, Josslyn France.

[@helenrichards7866]

Trained in observation and each painter can interpret...I just love your understated colour

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thanks Helen. Observation and looking is what Nathan wanted to emphasise in all the works in this show

[@nickschannel9918]

May seem weird, but I would love to just sit and watch artists like Nathan create these fantastic pieces. Love his honesty. Should have been much longer. Thanks

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thanks Nick. When we started making the film our target was 5 minutes..........it got out of hand.

[@nickschannel9918]

@@beauxartsbath7195 Well...all I can say is "thank goodness it got out of hand".

[@eagrinstead1]

I am just crazy about your work. ❤️

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you !

[@nelsonx5326]

I like the sketches starting @ 6:12. His work is good but kinda dreary. Give me some color.

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thanks Nelson - I think Nathan feels the same way at times, but also feels they end up in the right place

[@nelsonx5326]

@@beauxartsbath7195 For sure he's an excellent artist. The color thing, that is my taste. I think if he added color within his style the paintings would explode like a volcano. And that will be a great thing.

[@Kumurajiva]

😍😍😍

[@janspoor3882]

Love your work! Very evoking. Pity I haven't the money. Carry on! Please!

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you Jan.

[@housseinide7518]

I ❤ Ur Art!

[@geckoboy70]

A few years back I met you, Nathan, in Waterperry Gardens (Art in Action). There were hundreds of other talented artists on show there that weekend but for me, the highlight of the day was talking to you and experiencing your work up close. I was fascinated by the ethereal quality of your tiny portraits. The smallest of detail bringing the subtle figures into existence. I could have studied them all day. Thank you for your time and your beautiful artwork. I hope to see some more up close and personal again some day. Take care

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Come to Bath !!

[@geckoboy70]

@@beauxartsbath7195 I'll make a point of it.

[@cynthiahawkins-owen8913]

Beautiful work!

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you Cynthia

[@Freeformax]

Amazed and love how under the radar Nathan seems to be…he’s a superstar.

[@marijkehavenaar4635]

So beautifull........

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@nicolabishop996]

I absolutely love your flower paintings. So sensitively done

[@cathyannsstudio]

Beautifully honest person and work! Glad I found this and will share

[@Audion]

Wonderful!

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thanks jeff

[@georgemarklow4683]

I'm beyond words about the beauty of this work.

[@samesame3630]

fantastic

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you

[@rutbrea8796]

Today this, your video, came to me and it made me reflect once more on my art life. I have been painting since I was 13 years old. But could not work on paintings because of some life's problems. Then after I had my child ended up raising her alone... sometimes I would paint sometimes could not. Until my child and I went different ways, I found out my passion which was painting. I don't paint to make myself rich, for I don't charge, I just paint and give them away. It's something inside me. I don't need to be recognize like some artists do, to make a living out of it. I like to pleased myself with something I will leave to the world, the future generations. I feel that I have found who I really am, an artist, who love to look at this Creation of a universe with so much beautiful objects. Rejecting the moral ugly and embracing the spiritual beauty of this planet inhabitants. I have found who I am and project it into my paintings. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you Rut

[@mynameistechno]

and then its gray again...

[@beauxartsbath7195]

That was a good line !!

[@barriejdavies]

Nice video, been years since I shared a studio in Cardiff with Nathan

[@beauxartsbath7195]

In King Street?

[@barriejdavies]

@@beauxartsbath7195 was Kings Road Studios in Cardiff

[@meredithboswell4003]

Beautiful

[@beauxartsbath7195]

Thank you