I like to think of myself as a renaissance-man

Artwork by Andrew Gruffudd

I like to think of myself as a renaissance-man. As well as painting and sculpture, I also sing, compose music and write books. I have an active mind which craves stimulation, and the arts are as near the pinnacle of intellectual stimulation as I can find.

Indeed, artistic practise is, for me, not just for intellectual stimulation, for I find within that practise intense joy and soul fulfilment. Firstly, the creation of beauty is, for me, the most fulfilling of human endeavour; it is possible to say that such is the closest one can be to the Gods without incurring their wrath. But just like the famous image on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, secondly art is where one connects with the Gods – certainly, when I’m painting, I feel as if I am channelling the Divine.

Not that I feel I can do the Divine justice, for to do so would entail perfection on my part and, being imperfect, that is a forlorn hope. However, I would like to learn much more that would make such imperfections less obvious. My art training comes largely from my mother and, ‘though a fine artist in her own right, she is perhaps not so well regarded as the Masters from Cimabue onwards. It is these – especially the hyper-realistic painters – whose techniques I yearn to master such as my meagre budget affords me, so that I, too, will become well regarded, so that I will attract the John Ruskins and the Charles Saatchis or even the Medicis who can offer me their patronage.

This is one of the beauties of the Old Masters Academy. Never before have I seen so comprehensive and easy-to-understand exposition of the techniques which have made the likes of Michelangelo, Leonardo, Constable, van Dyck et al so vivid and beloved centuries after their return to the Divine, and this is why I want – indeed, so badly need – to study on the course. But alas for my meagre budget…

But you can help. By voting for me, not only are you helping me to achieve my dream of becoming more realistic in my art, but you are also helping me bring more beauty into the world and helping me to help others by making their lives more fulfilled: it is a scientific fact that art, properly executed, affects others such as they live longer and become more fulfilled. Such is my love for my fellows that I wish to be more proficient in that provision.