Pitman Painter's work on display at top North East restaurant

GATESHEAD, U.K. - June 10, 2013 - PRLog -- PITMAN turned painter Ray Campbell is fast gaining a reputation as one of Northumberland’s most talented watercolour artists . . . at the age of 68.

Ray, of Blyth, only took up art seriously a few years ago after finding himself with time on his hands.

Now his distinctive creations capturing rural and urban scenes in and around the North East sell for hundreds of pounds.

And the energetic pensioner is currently displaying his work in an unusual setting ... an Indian restaurant.

Ray is one of six acclaimed painters who have joined forces to launch the North East Arts Campaign (NEAC), which aims to raise awareness of work that takes its inspiration from the area’s iconic landmarks.

NEAC’s bid to find new ways to engage with art-lovers has led it to put on an exhibition in the unlikely setting of Raval Luxury Indian Restaurant, in Gateshead.

Ray said: “It’s an unusual venue, but if exposes my work to a wider audience then I’ll be very happy.”

The former pitman’s paintings are promoted by Dennis Anderson, owner of Newcastle-based Bridekirk Fine Art, who explained: “A lack of good galleries is one of the biggest stumbling blocks facing the region’s artists.

“Sadly, this means a lot of excellent work goes unnoticed. The campaign explores new ways of helping artists to connect with potential customers.”

NEAC comprises six painters who specialise in capturing cityscapes in and around the River Tyne, and whose work has sold worldwide.

Along with Ray they are Jim Edwards, Roy Francis Kirton, John Coatsworth, Kevin Day and Anthony Marshall.

Mr Anderson added: “These painters produce high-quality, iconic work that deserves a much wider audience.

“But the economic downturn, cuts to arts funding and a shortage of exhibition venues is making it increasingly difficult for them to connect with potential customers, even though we know they are out there.

“That’s why we’re delighted to have the backing of Raval Luxury Indian Restaurant. It might seem an unusual setting for an art exhibition but, in fact, it’s ideal.

“The restaurant is just off the Tyne Bridge and overlooks the Newcastle cityscape, which is the inspiration behind many of the paintings on display.”

Raval manager Avi Malik said: “We want to do all we can to support the region’s artists. The paintings on display have already caused a stir among our customers, with many making enquiries about them.”

Three of Ray’s watercolours are included in the exhibition, including an original depicting Newcastle’s Quayside Market with an £800 price tag.

Ray Said: “To be honest, I’m still gobsmacked people want to pay money for my work. I’m just thrilled folk get as much pleasure from viewing it as I do from creating it.”

Ray rediscovered his love of art by chance, having not picked up a paint brush in more than 40 years.

He said: “One day a few years ago my step-grandson Dale asked me to draw a car so he could colour it in.

“My wife Dot was impressed and said ‘I didn’t know you could draw?’ and I replied ‘you didn’t ask!’”

The incident led Ray to reacquaint himself with art, which he’d studied at Newcastle College more than 50 years previously before becoming a graphic artist at the age of 18.

But his dreams of carving out a career for himself in the industry were shattered when the company he worked for went bankrupt less than two years later.

Ray’s relative inexperience meant he couldn’t find similar work, and so he wound up at Lynemouth Colliery, where he trained as a locomotive driver.

“I worked in the mining industry for 21 years, so it’s only natural people sometimes refer to me as the pitmen painter,” said Ray.

“But I’m quick to remind them that the real pitmen painters started out in the 1930s. I’m old, but I’m not that old!

Ray left Lynemouth Colliery to work on the assembly line of an Ashington factory before becoming caretaker of Blyth’s South Beach First School, now the site of Bede Academy.

He has no regrets about waiting so long to rekindle his love of art. He explained: “If I’d taken up watercolour painting sooner, by now I’d probably be a typical hackneyed artist churning out paintings just for the sake of it in order to make a living.

“But I’m retired and I’ve got my pension, so I’m doing this purely for the pleasure. I think that’s what keeps it fresh. I’m 68 and I have a passion that has me totally enthused. It’s wonderful.”