MOST mantelpieces in Teesdale have probably been adorned with Lee Fearnley’s work at some time.
After 30 years as a commercial illustrator working in the greeting card industry, Lee has produced thousands of cards with a humorous lilt since leaving art college.
After relocating to Boldron from Mirfield, near Huddersfield, in West Yorkshire, three years ago with wife Andrea and dog Steve, he has been pursuing his dream of being a “proper artist”.
“I haven’t left doing the greeting cards; I don’t think I ever will completely. I enjoy doing the cards, particularly the humorous ones because they are fun to do. It’s throw-away art with humour.”
In transitioning to fine artist, the 55-year-old is following in the paint strokes of his father, Alan Fearnley, a foremost motoring artist.
Lee said: “I wanted to study fine art at college, but I had to get an A level and I couldn’t wait to leave school. So the nearest thing was graphic design.
“After college I went to work for the same company my dad had worked at. I went as a junior and worked my way up to senior graphic designer. After eight years the only way to progress was to go freelance, which I did.
“I had various attempts to go into fine art through the years but with kids and a mortgage to pay, I had to concentrate on making a living.
“Now I’m moving out of the card industry I’m basically doing what my dad did in the 1980s, but he was 30 when he left the business to concentrate on painting and I’m in my fifties.
“The kids have left home and the need to make money is not as great and I can spend a bit more time progressing my oil painting.”
As well as completing a number of portraiture commissions, Lee has been developing his style with a number of works depicting the subtle interactions between people in everyday situations – all with a nuance of humour.
The father of three added: “It’s been going really well and although I have been painting throughout my career for family and friends and the odd commission, I’m getting a lot more now, but I’m also developing my own style.”
Alongside his paintings, which are on display in galleries in York, Aberdeenshire and Norfolk, he has been working on a range of prints.
Lee said: “I’ve done quite a few portraits but they can be quite tight and I like the idea of a portrait of someone in a scenario, not just a stiff pose. I have another commission of a golfer with his two mates on the course and I’m enjoying setting that up.”
He added: “I tend to come up with ideas when I’m out walking the dog. The biggest thing I have learnt is not to do anything out of my head and I’m following the example of Norman Rockwell in that.
“He used to go to great lengths to set up photographs for his paintings. I don’t go to the same length as him, but if you go off things in your head it’s hard to portray things like folds in clothing.”
Before embarking on each new painting Lee creates and photographs the scene with the help of family and friends.
He said: “I like to set things up, but it’s usually me and Andrea in the shot.
“At the moment I have a few galleries with my work but you don’t want them too close together. I’m looking for a few more down south. Not too many because they are constantly on the phone to get more.
“Since Andrea set up the website, I have been getting more interest. I haven’t done an exhibition locally as you have to have quite a few – sometimes up to 50 for a show and every time I get a painting finished there’s a gallery asking for another. But it’s something I might do if I can get enough together.”
To take a look at Lee’s work visit leefearnley.com.
