Brian Pleasants has been drawing and painting for as long as he can remember. At age 14 he was awarded a scholarship to the Norwich School of Art (UK) where as a junior he followed the National Curriculum that had an emphasis on art subjects. Two years later he became a full time student studying for the National Diploma but his studies were interrupted by a compulsory two years of National Service in the Royal Air Force.
This interruption resulted in a long absence from art. Work and raising a family. Forever present was the need for self-expression, and the day eventually came when he picked up a pencil and paintbrush, joined a local art society and began working in earnest at his art. The attic in his 3 storey Victorian house was converted into a studio and then began one of the most productive artistic periods of his life. His first one-man show sold out and he has been successfully marketing his particular style of art ever since.
After taking early retirement he returned to his home town and was soon into the local art scene. An opportunity arose for him to return to Norwich School of Art as a “mature student” to complete a year’s work, full time, to complete an Arts Foundation course. A successful outcome saw him receive a diploma that had eluded him 46 years before.
Since following his two sons in 2004 to live in Australia, Brian’s success has continued and he is very much into the Bayside Art Scene. He is a member of all the local art societies, serving on committees and spent two years at Brighton as President. Brian was also accepted as a full member of the Australian Guild of Realist Artists. He takes every opportunity to exhibit at local exhibitions like Rotary and Lions, winning numerous prizes plus “commended” and “highly commended” awards.
If asked to describe his present style of painting Brian will say “rugged reality”. A move from watercolour to pastel and influence from painters such as Maxwell Wilks and Herman Pekel has seen Brian capturing the moment using a variety of reference material in addition to first hand observation. A chartered helicopter flight enabled Brian to capture many images of the city of Melbourne from above. These have been transformed into artworks using a variety of medium that always find buyers as no other artist in Victoria is working in the same genre. To keep it moving, Brian prices his work at a reasonable level, preferring to take home a small reward for his efforts than find a place to store it in his studio until the next exhibition.
You can contact the great but humble English artist Brian Pleasants at brianpleasants at optusnet. com. au (just take out the spaces)