Mike Bernard Solo Show 14-27 September 2024

Lasting Pleasures 

Distinguished Devon based artist Mike Bernard RI has a special talent for creating paintings which transport you to the place of his inspiration. They can evoke memories – old Battersea power station for example; that first commanding view of the Cobb at Lyme Regis; or maybe looking back at Beer huddled in its valley as you view it from the first time from the beach.

This solo show, the 14th for Mike Bernard at Marine House at Beer since 2002 reinforces his pleasure in revisiting his favourite places. Beer for example, and other watering holes along the South and East Devon Coast, or London scenes where he returns to his roots as a student at the Royal Academy schools, represent an ongoing intrigue for Mike.

Each composition reflects his complex collage style full of detailed observations which can lie hidden waiting for the viewer to discover over time.

His adoption of the collage style was a serendipitous moment in his art career when he was initially a teacher painting in oils. Frustrated by his students’ inability to make their first confident marks while painting near Piccadilly Circus he encouraged them to find scraps of newspaper, tickets, et cetera, and using glue had them create broad shapes on the surface. This broke the tension, but it also opened Mike’s eyes to this very accessible multimedia style so full of energy and life.

The rest is history as Mike has gone from success to success.

His peers recognised his talent making him a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours (RI) a prestigious and exclusive body.

More than this , Mike’s exuberant talent which has given  many collectors the long-term pleasure that his inspiration bestows on any composition.

PAINTINGS MARKED WITH AN ASTERISK ARE BEHIND GLASS.