Featured Maker // Tomas Rowell
Tomas Rowell
Artist
Mixed media abstract painter Tomas Rowell is based in Digbeth, Birmingham; a place he finds continually inspiring with its incredible graffiti. Tomas has seen his art take on numerous forms but the one constant thread is colour, form and composition.
Tomas started painting at a young age and became fascinated with abstract art in his final years at school. Initially he was a minimalist painter, working only on canvas and in time he grew to appreciate the more explosive use of colour and form in abstract art. He has continued to push his use of abstraction and in doing so has managed to diversify his practice in several ways.
Tomas’ work is about using everything and anything; applying structure to a potentially chaotic artwork. Lately he has been drawn to working on paper and pushing the boundaries of paint and colour, even using a broom to add unpredictable vibrancy of ink to the base layers. He has very recently dipped his toes into the textiles world, working on tote bags and will eventually progress towards clothing.
Tomas tells us a little more about his process, love of colour and what being a maker means to him.
Why is creativity important to you?
Creativity is a release and lets me focus on something visually enticing without any external distractions. I switch off from everything else around me and just focus on the task at hand. I have found over time it is better to be uncomfortable in my practise too as this is when I seem to develop as an artist. Leaving University, I classed myself as a painter on canvas but that restrained my creativity and now I have seen, from the amazing diversity of artists on Instagram during lockdown, that there are so many ways to express your creativity.
Tell us about your inspirations
I am inspired by the idea of conflict and confusion. I love working with an explosion of colour when creating any work. In doing so, I lose a sense of control with the process to begin with and then comes the challenge of adding form and further structure through the mark making. I never know how a piece will start and end, but it keeps me on my toes and allows me to continually grow and find inspiration.
Do you have a favourite colour palette you like to work with?
You may not be able to tell in my art but I love the colour black. I find it fascinating both to work with and to see in other art. I took it to the extremes whilst at University and decided to focus just on black for my final degree show. Every time I see it in art, I find it absorbs everything around it and I think that is such a unique trait. I can appreciate the brighter tones and they contrast with black in such a beautiful manner.
“You can only regret what you don’t do. It is better to give it a go and learn from the mistakes... either way you are learning and what’s not to love about that!”
What does being a maker mean to you?
I decided to begin making for the sake of making but in doing so, I made so many errors. However, I was able to learn from them and find my true identity in my practice. I learned that failure is so important because it allows me to learn and grow as an artist. I am more than confident I will change style several times but at the moment, I feel content with a sense of chaotic ritual behind my work.
Are there any new collections or idea you’ve been working on during lockdown?
I am starting to work on textile surfaces with some really exciting ideas. I have just finished off some tote bags and I can’t wait to work on clothes next with some bold designs and colours on show. I will be working on rugs soon too and I can’t wait to get experimenting. Watch this space!
What advice would you give to others who are starting a creative business?
You can only regret what you don’t do. It is better to give it a go and learn from the mistakes but more importantly, enjoy the outcomes. Either way you are learning and what’s not to love about that! I also find the advice of those around me is incredibly insightful and I have learned never to ignore support.
What is your proudest achievement?
Diversifying my practice and taking that leap of faith to work away from canvas. I was originally scared in case I failed, which did happen several times, but I was able to bounce back and I know far more now about my style than I did then. I love that I am moving towards clothing and textiles now and I can’t wait for the results to come.
See more of Tomas’ work via his website and instagram:
