Artist Paul Kingsley Squire illustrates his fascination with metamorphisis using anthopomorphic and macabre imagery. See more by visiting his website.
“All Tomorrow’s Parties” Hand Drawn Digital Pen & Tablet Limited Edition Prints, Various Sizes
I am a self-taught multidisciplinary artist, and have created a large portfolio of artwork through painting, drawing and digital art. For this featured artist portfolio on Artsy Shark I am showcasing my “Metamorphica & Danse Macabre” series, created with a digital pen and tablet.
“Hope Springs Eternal” Hand Drawn Digital Pen & Tablet Limited Edition Prints, Various Sizes
The series is hand-drawn and extremely detailed. Each space within the intricate lines of the drawing is individually filled with varying colours—from light to dark in tone—a bit like a stained glass window. It’s a very time-consuming process, but the only way that I can achieve the dynamic quality of the final piece.
“Gimme Shelter” Hand Drawn Digital Pen & Tablet Limited Edition Prints, Various Sizes
For many years I have been intrigued by themes of metamorphosis and transformation. As I researched world mythologies, I realised that these themes were pretty universal. In many cultural beliefs, not only do they describe natural processes before the advent of modern science, but human psychology as well.
“The Great Escape” Hand Drawn Digital Pen & Tablet Limited Edition Prints, Various Sizes
“Metamorphica & the Danse Macabre” draws inspiration from mythology, symbolism, pop culture and contemporary fashion. I’ve created human bodies with animal heads which convey a totemic-power animal hybrid. These are symbolic references to a world gone mad, and very much in need of rethinking its cultural archetypes.
“Stay Cool” Hand Drawn Digital Pen & Tablet Limited Edition Prints, Various Sizes
I thought if these anthropomorphic personifications existed, how would they look in today’s world? I wanted the works to be very contemporary. Rather than go for a sword-wielding fantasy art style, I instead dressed them in today’s fashion, gave some of them cool methods of transportation and completed the works with a sun/moon symbol background.
“Peace and Love and All That Jazz” Hand Drawn Digital Pen & Tablet Limited Edition Prints, Various Sizes
The ideas for specific pieces just kept coming to me. “How about a bull biker?” “A punk rock Leopard?” “A peace symbol waving Lion?”
“The Danse Macabre” Hand Drawn Digital Pen & Tablet Limited Edition Prints, Various Sizes
After I completed a number of animal hybrids, I introduced the skeletal (Danse Macabre) figures. I wanted to add a darker element to the series. I intended for these characters to be oozing in luxurious decadence—literally dripping in sin.
“Paint it Black” Hand Drawn Digital Pen & Tablet Limited Edition Prints, Various Sizes
I’ve noticed that people often find themselves drawn to individual pieces. Possibly they see aspects of their own personalities reflected and identify with them on an inner level.
“We Are the New Gods” Hand Drawn Digital Pen & Tablet Limited Edition Prints, Various Sizes
This series expanded over a period of years and there are now thirty images. All of them are available as limited edition prints on acrylic glass or giclee fine art paper through my website, or at various London based galleries and online platforms.
Artist Paul Kingsley Squire invites you to follow him on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
I appreciate this so much. It gives me hope that the art world out side of rural America is changing. I love drawing with my digital pen and iPad. However, my work is shunned when I try to enter a juried art show. I am told it is photography and not accepted in local shows in the regular categories offered. However, I was able to secure an honorable mention once as a “Multimedia” entry after much discussion.
Thanks for sharing.
Gerry Morgan
I love your work, Paul. What paper do you use for your graphite drawings?