About me
Jeremy Daynes is an English artist who splits his time between teaching children with learning difficulties and painting. He always dreamed about being an artist. For various reasons, he was unable to attend Art College but began his working life in the Art World, first as a Gallery Assistant and then as a Lecturer on the History of Design. Ironically, his lecturing career took him to Kingston College of Art in South London. It was only during holidays that he continued to paint and draw. At age 32, he changed direction and began working with mentally handicapped children in various special schools and for 7 years in the British School of Paris. During this time, Jeremy began to attend life-drawing classes and eventually began teaching life classes at school. Occasionally, he would try his hand at oil painting but always felt that to be a painter, one needed to do it full-time. He expected to have to wait until retirement to fulfil this dream. Fortunately, in July 2001, his dream became reality when he and his wife and daughter relocated to Ticino where his wife had been offered a full-time position. This enabled him to become ‘house-parent’ and painter. While in Switzerland, he held four one-man shows – in Lugano, Ascona, Caslano and Sessa, and another solo exhibition in Italy at Ponte Tresa.
Given the spectacular scenery of Ticino, not unnaturally, Jeremy began his work by focusing on landscapes. In addition, he painted a variety of portraits. Unable to ignore the events of September 11th, he spent 6 months painting a series on the theme. He also painted a series of Jazz musicians that was exhibited in the Via Nassa, Lugano. In 2003 as an antidote to the depressing nature of current world, he explored and developed the theme of ‘Joy’.
In the summer of 2004, Jeremy and his family returned to Orgeval, just west of Paris. He then took up his full-time teaching again so time for painting was limited. However he did continue to exhibit in local group painting shows and won several municipal prizes. He also had one or two important portrait commissions.
In July 2009 another dream came true for Jeremy when he and his wife moved to the Cote d’Azur in south of France. The light, colour and great weather in the area are of course legendary and have always attracted painters – and Jeremy was no exception! He now splits his time between teaching and painting. He has particpated in several group exhibitions and also held two one-man shows in Eze in July 2012 and July 2014.
Jeremy’s art is mainly representational because he feels that in the modern art world, in which the conceptual tends to dominate, the traditions of previous generations have been largely forgotten or ignored. Furthermore, it is probably still true that, while representational art may be out of fashion in the major art galleries, the general public still appreciates it. Jeremy also has a strong spiritual base and this is hopefully reflected in his paintings.
Given the spectacular scenery of Ticino, not unnaturally, Jeremy began his work by focusing on landscapes. In addition, he painted a variety of portraits. Unable to ignore the events of September 11th, he spent 6 months painting a series on the theme. He also painted a series of Jazz musicians that was exhibited in the Via Nassa, Lugano. In 2003 as an antidote to the depressing nature of current world, he explored and developed the theme of ‘Joy’.
In the summer of 2004, Jeremy and his family returned to Orgeval, just west of Paris. He then took up his full-time teaching again so time for painting was limited. However he did continue to exhibit in local group painting shows and won several municipal prizes. He also had one or two important portrait commissions.
In July 2009 another dream came true for Jeremy when he and his wife moved to the Cote d’Azur in south of France. The light, colour and great weather in the area are of course legendary and have always attracted painters – and Jeremy was no exception! He now splits his time between teaching and painting. He has particpated in several group exhibitions and also held two one-man shows in Eze in July 2012 and July 2014.
Jeremy’s art is mainly representational because he feels that in the modern art world, in which the conceptual tends to dominate, the traditions of previous generations have been largely forgotten or ignored. Furthermore, it is probably still true that, while representational art may be out of fashion in the major art galleries, the general public still appreciates it. Jeremy also has a strong spiritual base and this is hopefully reflected in his paintings.
