The last time we spoke with Ringwood artist Danny Byrne, his wife Denise had arranged an exhibition based around the waterways of the New Forest, despite the fact he didn’t have a single painting on the subject! However, this is a man that is continually reinventing himself and unfazed he got to work.
This year, his exhibition will create a new take on classic paintings from the archive collection of the New Forest Heritage Centre, revealing the evolution of the New Forest's landscape.
‘This exhibition is completely different,’ explains the 69-year-old. ‘I’m using some of the paintings in the heritage archives painted over 100 years ago and repainting these in a contemporary style, showing not only how the place has changed but also how painting styles have changed.’
The paintings will be exhibited alongside each other. Additionally, he is collaborating with other local artists in reinterpreting them. It’s a showcase of unique landscapes that capture the essence of the forest.
‘I did a caricature when I was about 15 of Mr Swan our English teacher and got a bit of a laugh out of it. He came over and said, “What is this?” I showed him the picture he said, “Go and see Mr Woodward,” the headmaster “and take this with you.” I thought, I'm in trouble but the headmaster said, “I'll pay you £5 to do a caricature of every department leader.”’
It was the start of a successful career as a cartoonist. He worked for the Bournemouth Echo for five years which led to jobs at the Mirror Group, News of the World and Weekender.
Danny’s only setback was once sending a cartoon that should have been sent to the Knitting Times to a Taxidermy magazine, understandably they didn’t get the satire.
As demand for cartoons began to dwindle, Danny was encouraged by his wife to start painting.
It led to a series of work entitled All Her Majesty's Men. Paintings include the late Queen and politicians Theresa May, Jacob Rees-Mogg and the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The innovative portraits capture the essence of their characters, some playfully overlapped by caricatures.
The idea was for an exhibition in Parliament, but unfortunately, it was at a politically tumultuous time. ‘I thought, this is not going to work, they are disappearing faster than I can paint them.’
For this latest exhibition Danny is returning to landscapes.
The idea came when he was shown paintings from the Heritage Centre’s archive. ‘I was invited to see paintings from the archive and wondered what it would be like to return to that area and repaint it in a more contemporary style.
‘Of course, having been a cartoonist, I thought maybe I could do something more graphical, but in a more subtle way.
‘If you go to the same place as the painting of Bolton’s Bench, to the right-hand side there’s a small little tree growing, that's now grown over 120 years. Another scene was the ford in Brockenhurst from the 1912 painting by E W Hasselhurst. I went to have a look at it and to be honest with you, it's not changed much at all, but I have painted in a more modern style. I've tried to do things that are a little bit different.’
His vibrant, contemporary artworks highlight the beauty of the New Forest and show the natural area in a colourful and engaging way, in contrast to the more subdued traditional artworks.
Danny works predominantly from a garden studio at his Ringwood home, often accompanied by his rescue dog Ollie who has a favourite place on the sofa. It is decorated with his eclectic work - a melee of canvasses, colour and equipment. Unlike some artists, he doesn’t work from photos. ‘I draw what I see and then paint from the drawing,’ he explains. If a tree doesn't look right, it doesn't matter. I'm not making it look like the photo, I depict what I see using colours that come to me.’
He prefers painting in oils, liking the richness of the medium. ‘You can use a lot of paint with acrylic and see all the brush strokes. But when you come back the following day, everything seems to disappear, it's all flat. With a soft brush, you can get nice strokes with oil,’ he explains.
His rise from cartoonist to figurative portraiture, landscapes and also to accomplished equine artist, has seen his work widely exhibited including at The Royal Academy, Royal Portrait Society and Royal Institute of Oil Painters. He has been a member of the Society of Equestrian Artists for more than 20 years.
In 2020 the award-winning artist took part in Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year. Although he didn’t go further in the competition, his painting of Scottish actor Miriam Mack was selected by her to keep.
His latest accolade is the People’s Choice Award which he won this year at an exhibition in St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery in Lymington.
Living near the New Forest, Danny admits he doesn’t have to travel far to get inspiration. ‘It’s a simple, calm place and it changes with the seasons. It’s quite surprising how fast it does change; from an artist’s perspective there’s always a different view.
‘Anywhere near any river is nice. Eyeworth Pond, Fritham is lovely and it’s near a pub, The Royal Oak, which is worth a visit. I also visit Lymington River regularly - wherever you go, it’s completely different to where you have been.’
After a career spanning over 50 years, his enthusiasm for art has not diminished. I ask whether he prefers painting people or landscapes.
‘I just love what I do,’ he says. ‘I don't care if it's a cartoon or caricature, or if it’s an oil painting or a watercolour. As long as I'm painting or drawing, I’m happy, that's it.’
Danny Bryne, Take Another Look is on display at the New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst from October 17 to November 11.
dannybyrneonline.co.uk
