DORSET ART WEEKS 2022 (14-29 MAY)

DORSET ART WEEKS 2022 DIRECTORY • 29 Dorset Art Weeks 2022 Noah Warnes Noah Warnes is an emergent artist in his early twenties who is not only pursuing his own creative practice but also successfully navigating a career in book illustration. As an enthusiastic young artist he often feels pulled towards different ideas but spends most of his time immersed in the children’s books he’s commissioned to illustrate. He so far has six publications on the go, in varying stages of production. In addition to this Noah has been commissioned by Dorset County Hospital to design a series of murals for the paediatric spaces in the new Emergency Department. This he says, has given him creative freedom and the opportunity to put his own stamp on this body of work - rather than it being a manifestation of someone else’s idea, so often the case with book illustration. Completely unassuming, Noah tells me that he unwittingly has his work in every First School classroom in the county! Having been asked to illustrate a series of phonics flashcards - A is for Astronaut etc - not realising the project was linked to the national curriculum and department of education. His personal practice, outside of illustration, is extremely eclectic however, at this moment he’s very much focussed on linocuts and “the woods” but, in his own words, will swing from one obsession to another. He has always been passionate about life drawing and will stop to draw wherever he goes, often visiting museums to sketch the artefacts and the people viewing them or spending time on the coast drawing, rock forms are a particular favourite. He has over forty sketch books full of ideas, his personal world of explorations in drawing, which he considers a “sophisticated, nuanced pursuit.” He is most comfortable working in Photoshop illustration, on an iPad or Wacom tablet, where you draw directly onto a screen, but is equally familiar with more traditional materials. His work on show during Dorset Art Weeks though will consist entirely of his printmaking, mostly three or four layer linocuts, printed on a traditional press, he likes to keep his printmaking fun and enjoy the process. Noah grew up in a home surrounded by art and abundant creativity in all mediums. Both his parents, Tim Warnes and Jane Chapman, are successful Children’s book illustrators and this was all he knew of the working world from a very young age. He has pursued a normal educational route in terms of GCSEs, A Levels and an Art Foundation but instead of then going on to university he has been particularly motivated to self-educate. Online courses and YouTube lessons, which have often put him out of his comfort zone, have been truly worth while, engaging with Disney illustrators and receiving positive, productive feedback. He feels Covid has illuminated the fact that there are more efficient and viable ways to learn, rather than just following the current model for higher education. He senses this may become the norm. “Why pay a fortune to gain a degree when more bespoke educational opportunities are available online?” A true creative, Noah is also a passionate drummer, playing from an early age, he is currently in two bands, one the heavy metal band Kilaton. When not drawing or drumming he can be found walking or painting War Hammer figures with his younger brother Levi. Future aspirations are purely to seek the next level of knowledge and hone his skills - to keep improving yet to try new things, without setting specific goals. He has adopted an inspiring philosophy to enjoy life, explore and see where it takes him. When I asked Noah why he is drawn to the woods he explained that he loves to be surrounded by trees in a private space, you can be infinitely small and amazed at the detail around you or zoom out and see magnificent silhouettes. When you look at Noah’s woodland scenes they are indeed enticing and seem a safe and comforting place to be. Suzy Rushbrook Dorset Art Weeks will return in 2024 VENUE 32: Hunter’s Moon, Streetway Lane, CHESELBOURNE, DT2 7NT. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 11am - 5pm, Friday and Saturday 11am - 7pm (Closed Tuesdays). 07706 401104. noahwarnes.com