Welcome To Art By Neal Forster

About 

Welcome to my vibrant world of artbynealforster.com, where each masterpiece is a warm embrace, offering solace and joy to all who engage with it. Here, you'll discover how art transforms not just canvas, but life itself, into something beautifully resonant I came back to art later in life when I found myself being encouraged to paint after completing family portraits and pet portraits followed by a series of commissions for friends.

I have ten snippets of information to explain where I am at and where I am from.

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1 I was born in the North East

2 I moved to South Yorkshire as a child and did my schooling there, often being teased for having a strange accent of speech.

3 I turned down attending art school to go out to work and help my single mother by working in a factory making furniture.

4 I joined the Royal Navy and served repairing radio equipment. I found myself completing extra duties painting the toilets on board ship for being naughty and drinking after hours at sea. The extra work brought out my artistic side when I painted smiling sunflowers on the wall of the toilets with a caption of 'Have a nice day'.

5 I left the Royal Navy after getting married and planning a family, which turned out to be two sons.

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My journey as an artist is nothing short of inspirational. Overcoming personal challenges with grace, I use art as a sanctuary, a therapeutic escape that transforms pain into vivid colours and expressive art. My work speaks directly to the heart, capturing the spirit and quirks of my subjects with remarkable empathy and charm often in the form of family and pet portraits. I enjoy painting landscapes and abstract pieces as an aside to portraits, which have been exhibited in Dubai, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. I have been featured in art magazines and sold work at art fairs as-well as on line.

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6 I joined Derbyshire police as a Constable until being medically retired after an injury and subsequent a mistake during a medical procedure.

7 I am unable to work in a normal way due to constant nerve pain and my medication causing drowsiness and extreme tiredness in the afternoons.

8 I completed a Masters degree to occupy my time and subsequently I was mid-way through a PhD when my research group withdrew consent meaning I could not complete.

9 In 2019 I went back to producing art and painting when I am awake and controlling pain.

10 I enjoy the process of developing skills and techniques mostly self taught from classes and online courses about various media painting.

 

Are you still awake? I know it's a bit long but I am a bit old.

I hope the above information helps to understand where my art comes from.​ Art therapy is more than just a term; it's a reality for me. Despite the challenges posed by my disabilities, including pain management, anxiety, depression, and PTSD, I find solace in my studio. Here, using photographs from my daily life and those of friends, I create stunning works of art that not only heal me but resonate with viewers, encouraging them to see the world through my eyes.

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With a keen eye for detail and a passion for colour, my art spans a wide spectrum from abstract to representational. This diversity allows my collectors to find pieces that speak to their individual tastes, whether they are drawn to the emotive power of an animal portrait or the interpretative freedom of an abstract composition.

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Join me in celebrating the therapeutic power of art and the vibrant colours of my world. Let’s connect, create, and find beauty in every brushstroke.