“One of the most rewarding side-effects of my job is learning that my paintings have had an inspiration on a new generation of creative minds exploring the arts.”
It is gratifying that many students reach out to Giles Ward about his painting. They may well have discovered his work online or in any of the many galleries he is represented by. In return Giles is delighted to feed back encouragement and support for art students wherever they are on their own creative journeys. They often send images of pieces they have been working on, many inspired by Giles’ distinctive style and renowned subject matter.
A student from New York recently sent this message: “Hi Mr. Ward, I was given an assignment in my studio art class to choose one artist whose work inspires us and who we would like to learn more about. Then we had to pick one of their pieces of art to recreate as best as we could and use all the research we took on their process, background, and self in general, and put it into a presentation. For my project, I chose you. I used as much information from trusted sites, galleries, and your website, to put together an understanding of what inspires you, your process, and what your life has been like. In the end, I was left with a 9 page organizer on all of this information; from what I found, I learned that I relate to what you stated. Specifically about how you have been drawn to the ocean and the natural life that lives within it since you were a child.
“I truly took an inspiration from what I learned about you and I would like to attach an image of my final piece that I created as a replica of yours. I hope you know how big of an inspiration you are to me and how I really took what I learned and related it to myself, also using your techniques and advice to help me. You are amazing at what you do and I thank you for your wise words.”
Another student wrote: “Hi! I absolutely love your work and have been doing some artist copies. This is my first year GCSE art project. The top fish is mine and then the lobster and the fish on the second page also! I have loved doing your work!” For Giles it is heartening to know that young students are looking at the work of artists and feeling compelled to explore their own ways of working. Hopefully for these, and all young artists, it is a springboard to a life-long love of the visual arts.
“It is so pleasing to see the simple pleasure of paint and brush hasn’t been lost. There is no substitute for the fun of playing with tubs of paint and making a mess on paper”.
