Mike Skidmore

 At twelve years old, Mike became captivated by a Victorian portrait inherited from a great-aunt. Sitting on his staircase landing to sketch it, he discovered a passion for portraiture that would define his early artistic identity. 

Unfortunately, this path was stifled at art college, where tutors dismissed portraiture as artistically irrelevant. Discouraged, Mike abandoned his dream for twenty years to pursue a career in design. 

Today, he has returned to painting full-time, translating his lifelong sensitivity into enthralling still lifes in oil. Evocative shadows, and contrasting textures are central to his work. His paintings often pair unusual subjects, such as birds and still life objects, to tell a relatable story, sometimes with a surreal quality. 

Mike works from his studio near the river in Ross-on-Wye, which is perfect for taking a walk to ponder ideas for new paintings. He has exhibited nationwide, and his paintings are collected primarily in the UK and the US. 

“Memories are like time capsules from the past with paintings that remind me of experiences, discoveries and emotions that influenced my work. As such my subject matter is eclectic because I prefer to follow whatever idea pops into my head at the time. Most paintings have a story, reflected in the composition. But it doesn’t have to be my story. I take great pleasure seeing people use their imagination to create their own meaning.”