
August Daisies by David Tindle
© Christie's Images / Bridgeman Images
The artist shares insights about why tempera is his chosen painting medium, and how he is inspired by the joy and interest of the painting process.
Tindle also shares advice given to him by his friend, the painter John Minton, and the origins of how he first became interested in landscape painting as a child during the bombing of World War II.
Q. How would you define your work in three words?
Composed-figurative-motifs.
Q. What medium do you mainly work with and why?
I find Tempura flexible for texture-surface and reliability.
‘Corner of Room’ by David Tindle
© Christie’s Images / Bridgeman Images
Q. Where do you find most inspiration for your work?
In the work itself is the most inspiration, joy and interest – creativity, however if it goes wrong you have to sort it out as you go along.
Q. Take us through your working process.
I don’t fit into a pattern. I remember John Minton saying to me – “Don’t worry about being a misfit – All my friends are!” When an idea takes a form, the subject leads the way. Once on the way, the joy and /or despair create inspiration in the journey of the life of the work. All that matters is the life of the work.
My present work is all under process and I cannot account for it yet. However, my painting “Miss Myth” should speak for itself – or it’s a flop. It’s all about make believe.
‘Moonlight’ by David Tindle
© Christie’s Images / Bridgeman Images
Q. Can you remember the first work of art that you created? What was it and why was it so memorable?
I can remember all my early days, because at 10 years old I chose to be a “boy scout” and look after myself, they even started me painting. This was in the Second World War and I lived in Coventry during the bombing. I was moved around and no family background, education was nil. Art seemed better than the life around me, I painted landscapes on the spot to study the flexibility of nature, with the help of the master Constable.
‘View of the lower pool and the terraced garden, Upton Park, Warwick’ by David Tindle © Christie’s Images / Bridgeman Images