Paul Cardno

Paul grew up in a small respite, in the wilds of Fiordland, Te Anau. An environment with mountains, rivers, lakes and space to play. His first artistic memories were of painting purple trees, an influence that is still expressed.

School (in Te Anau) led to Otago University in 1987 where physics attracted his intellectual mind, but his artistic mind required further expression. In 1991, while finishing honours, acrylic painting was the medium where Paul found freedom to express his feelings and non-intellectual ideas without formulas or proofs. With abstract works allowing a free flow of information and expression, Paul started painting what ever came to mind. His initial works expressed multiple ideas in a busy and colourful way.

Paul's energy for painting increased as he started his Master's Degree in Medical Physics. He created numerous paintings, held several exhibitions, and produced commercial cards of local buildings. Once he finished his Masters, he worked at Dunedin Public Hospital as a Medical Physicist, while still showing his paintings and working in his studio. Over this period he explored new styles and attended night classes in life drawing and painting.

Paul has always enjoyed bold colours and the freedom to express and communicate with paint in various styles. Impressions of ornate buildings, flowers, people and trees have alway been a central focus and passion.

Paul is developing simpler themes of one or two ideas while still retaining bold colours and vibrant images. During the week he writes computer programmes. At night or in the weekends, Paul can be found painting in his lounge, where painting is combined with his pleasures; listening to music of various styles, eating good food, moving and meditating. These all combine to provide an atmosphere for his expression to flow. It's an environment in which Paul can have fun while painting, enjoying the colours and their interactions as images unfold.

Paul is very interested in old buildings and his impression of them. He is presently working on this theme along with creating flower paintings, and also refining/exploring new techniques and modes of expression on canvas.