Rolf Harris set for Lichfield visit

Television artist Rolf Harris will be in Lichfield this weekend to unveil some of his latest works. He talks to Mark Andrews.

Many people would be downhearted if their holiday was hit by torrential rain. But for Rolf Harris it presented an exciting opportunity.

"I went to Venice for a week and it rained all the while, but I got six wonderful paintings out of it, with wet pavements and people with umbrellas."

Rolf returns to Lichfield's Whitewall Gallery tomorrow (Saturday, July 2, 2011), where he will meet fans and unveil some of his latest paintings. He will also be exhibiting a range of limited edition prints from his book Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport, featuring light-hearted imagery of animals.

Stunning scenery will be the theme of some of the work he will be displaying on Saturday, including The Devil's Marbles, two huge boulders that line the road through Alice Springs towards Darwin, and Uluru, a sandstone formation in central Australia.

He says his interest in dark and dramatic scenery – as well as mundane subjects such as a battered old garden shed – was always a mystery to his mother.

"She always used to say 'why do you paint all these dark, gloomy things? Why don't you do a lovely sunset with pink fluffy clouds?'

"I would explain that the old shed had got awesome patterns in terms of shade, but Mum could never see it."

Saturday's visit will be his second appearance in the city in just over a year, and he says he is always struck by the warmth he receives from fans during the visits.

As he speaks, Rolf is working on a painting of a zebra, and another of two surging tigers.

"Pictures of animals, wild animals like tigers and cheetahs, they seem to be the ones that grip people the most," he says.

"Images of animals in the Australian wilds, people don't seem to be able to get enough of it.

"People say why don't you do more of the Australian stuff, but it's getting the photographic material together.

"I take my camera wherever I go, taking pictures to use for paintings, but I find it gets used up at quite an alarming rate."

He has described being asked to paint the official portrait for the Queen"s 80th birthday as one of the proudest moments of his career, and says he may produce something relating to newlyweds Prince William and Kate.

"I will probably leave it until next year. They seem a very nice couple, very down-to-earth," he says.

As well as his painting, Rolf says he is also spending a lot of time working on his music, including a new song with Kate Bush, which will be released later in the year.

"It's very exciting, it's an old Irish folk song, I'm really enjoying making it," says Rolf.

Rolf's visit to the Whitewall Gallery in Europa Way will take place between 1pm and 4pm. It is strictly by invitation, and anybody wanting to attend should telephone the gallery on 01543 412600 to arrange an invitation.