These year by year collections contain original oil paintings and some popular reproductions.
A LOOK AT LIFE THROUGH THE PAINTINGS OF REX MARSDEN
Rex Marsden first began painting real pictures using oil paints on canvas about 14 years ago when he was under an ocupational therapist recovering from a stroke. Reluctant at first and fighting a degenerative disorder he started his art career with landscape painting and was eventually inspired by joining 'The Ambleside & District Art Society' where he discovered his hidden talent. He progressed to painting ancient buildings of character and then soon developed his own style of portrait painting hopeing to follow the style of the old masters.
During the years that followed, several times Rex found himself in hospital recovering from a number of mini strokes. He believes that all the knocking and probing into his head triggered off the beginnings of a rare Cerebrovascular Dementia called 'Moyamoya'. Curiously, his assertive personality changed, he lost his enterprising business character and became more relaxed and in harmony with his situation. Despite a tremor in his right hand his painting improved immensly, and each day he became focused on two or three hours painting.
Rex was soon able to hide his farcical behaviour. He became a compulsive oil painter with little interest in world events or even the sale or destination of his work. When one painting is completed and left to dry, another canvas was sketched out and painting begins again. There is no shortage of beautiful views to feed his obsession, for Rex lives with his caring wife Carole in the heart of the English Lake District, in the delightful Great Langdale Valley. The home of many accomplished artists.
Rex Marsden believes the healing process of his stroke was undoubtedly helped due to the creative side of visual art. However, Rex refuses to allow any symptoms of Vascular Dementia take control of his life. He knows the consequences and is philosophical about it. Rex says 'A Brain Injury' is a horrid preditor that you can't run away from, no matter how hard you try' and claims that laughter is his best medication; therefore he would hide his true feelings behind nonsensical chatter and a wonderful sence of humour.
Now in his 70th year, fighting a 'Moyamoya Disorder' with over 150 original paintings to his name, and having served a somewhat remarkable apprenticeship with his contempories in art, he has developed an impressive style reminiscent of a story book illustrator. Yet as we look forward to his next collection of oil paintings in 2010, called 'British Wild Life' Rex thought that he was making a slow recovery, but it wasn't so, his Dementia was still attacking his faculties, particularly his memory. Rex is now trying to get back back into his routine, with little interest in anything other than the image on the canvas he is painting. August 2010.