Painter Dean urges Black Country artists to never give up
An artist who lives by the motto 'never give up' has just launched his second solo show in London.
Former Wolverhampton University student Dean Melbourne, from Wordsley, has enjoyed success after selling his work to collectors in New York, Miami and Barcelona.
He has also been selected for the prestigious Royal Academy Summer Exhibition three times.
But the 39-year-old full-time painter is only too aware how difficult it can be to earn a living from art, particularly in the industrial West Midlands.
He said: "I've always painted and I've never given up.
"That's a message I want to pass on to people who are being creative but can't quite visualise how that might translate into a career in the arts – especially in the Black Country which has a history that is steeped in both traditional manufacturing and industry."
His new exhibition, This Myth, showcasing his most recent work, draws on mythology and legend to create what is a hybrid blend of humans, animals and nature in the wild.
And the former fine arts student, who works from a studio in Stourbridge, gives full credit to his university course – and birthplace – for inspiring him.
He said: "My new solo show is a body of work that focuses on the animalistic side of human nature to bring our most hidden desires to the forefront.
"I thought a lot about childhood memories of getting lost in other worlds and for the first time I built a set and used live models and props to create imagery – in essence I was the stage manager for my own productions.
"The fine art course at university offered me the opportunity to explore my interest in painting in more depth and I'm pleased I chose to study in the Black Country.
"I still live here and I'm proud of the place and what it gives me."
Writer and critic Anneka French has described his paintings as 'invitations into secret, forgotten and imagined places.'
His exhibition runs at Gallery 8, Duke Street, London, through until Saturday.
He is currently represented by Coates and Scarry.
To see more of his work visit his artist website which can be found by visiting www.deanmelbourne.com
