Artist Interview: Tim Muddiman

Tim Muddiman is an English artist, musician and creative. In his own words, Tim's work is "an exploration of the human condition through contrasts: strength and fragility, depth and height, colour and monochrome"and has been described as 'hard-edged, abstract and contemporary' Tim takes us through his journey from successful musician to Professional Artist.

Q. Tell us about your Artistic background/education?

I like to think that by proxy my entire life has been an artistic one. By that I mean what I have chosen to think about, what I have enjoyed and what I have chosen to educate myself with. I dropped out of school and dropped out of college twice. I’ve had over 40 jobs but from the age of about 24 I have been a professional touring musician as well as owning my own musical instrument shop, being a long-term member of Gary Numan’s band and having a successful career as a painter.  I like to think I’ve taken the good bits and got rid of the bad.


Q. As a contemporary artist, do you describe your work as abstract?

I view my work as modern, not nostalgic, or futuristic. I like to indulge with an abstract angle or subject without knowingly replicating other artists.  I love the huge umbrella of “Abstract”. It makes me feel free and helps to avoid the pressure of always having to make a piece of art make sense. I describe my work as Hardedge, Contemporary, Abstract and Geometrically Swinging.


Q. Has your music career influenced your art?

In lots of ways yes but everything has the potential to influence art. Art is life and not something you pick up and put down but rather analyse, contemplate, and make decisions about. I imagine it must be with you in everything you do. Sometimes physically but always mentally and emotionally.


Q. Do you work in a studio or from home?

I work a 10 hour - 5 day a week in my studio.


Q. Who are your Art Influencers?

Can I include film directors like David Lynch, Jim Jarmusch, John Waters, and possibly Ingmar Bergman? Also, musicians like Tom Waits & Nick Cave?   The painters I adore are Bernard Buffett, Francis Bacon, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, and Mark Rothko but I’m not sure if any of the above directly influence.


Q. What helps get you in "the zone’ to create your work, music? out in nature? quiet?

The biggest struggle for everyone is avoiding distractions. Life is busy regardless of what one does with it. I must employ disciplines like turning my phone off and quite frankly ignoring the rest of the world otherwise nothing would ever get done.

Q. Do you keep a sketchbook? How often do you use it and do you travel with it?

I seem to have a phobia against keeping one sketch book. I have tonnes of scraps of paper and about 20 different notepads, sketch books etc. When I toured as a musician, I would take a folder to keep all the pieces of paper in. Over the last few years of touring, days off were good for sitting in a hotel room and just drawing. I miss that. 


Q. Where does a piece of work begin for you? Can you describe your process?

Most of my work comes from a semi-conscious vision. The next steps are to harness it, remember it, sketch it, and then paint it. In 2021 I conceptualised a lot more work. For example, I painted disused buildings that had a strong narrative and painted scenes that grew in my imagination from listening to songs.  I miss allowing my own mind to make the image in a translucent way. I find that more pure, honest, and enjoyable. More of that in 2022.


Q. What technique do you prefer to use?

Over the last few years, I have been painting with acrylics on canvas. It has helped control my expression. I wanted to explore within boundaries I set for myself. I’m not sure if it’s over yet or if I’m ready to jump into new techniques. I feel something brewing but I’m just not too sure yet.


Q. What are your most important artists tools?

Memory, discipline, freedom, and courage of expression.


Q What are your favourite materials?

For the last few years, I use System 3 Acrylics. They have the perfect consistency and vibrancy for my style of work.


Q. What are you currently working on?

I’ve just finished a big commission that I picked up at The Other Art Fair and moved studios for the third time this year, From Monday I’ll paint to see the year out and then access from January 1. 


Q. Where can we see more of your work online or in person?

My websiteand Facebook group are the best places to see my work. Zebra One Gallery, Hampstead and I am also opening a private gallery in early spring and all details will be published on my website and socials. I may consider doing a solo exhibition in the summer of 2022 in London but I want to wait to see what work I do next year .