Iain Gardiner
I have often been asked why I choose to paint in a highly realistic style at a time when photorealism seems to be out of favour with most of the artistic establishment. Each painting can take years to finish; you often have to fight against stress, depression and anxiety. You wonder if it is worthwhile finishing it; you go through self-doubt, your finances and personal relationships are under constant strain and finally you have to open yourself to scrutiny by exhibiting it.
The reason I put myself through these creative marathons is that I always aspire to create work that is unique and will, hopefully, amaze. The whole point of these paintings is to create disbelief and awe. They are an illustration of reality created in paint and once the viewer realises they are looking at a painting they instinctively start to admire the detail up close.