See Inside This New Art Gallery in Whitley Bay
Following the opening of his new gallery in Whitley Bay, we meet up with loyal Living North supporter and self-taught artist Darren Mundy
Darren has painted and drawn since he was a child, and always gravitated to the more creative subjects in school. ‘I think as children we look for ways to express ourselves and I did it through painting and drawing,’ he says. ‘As a child it was the only thing that I was any good at so as the saying goes “play to your strengths”.
‘Not realising you could do art as a serious profession, I went down the graphic design route and studied at Newcastle College and then worked in quite a few design companies as well as setting up my own company with a partner where we created some great work, including working with Newcastle Theatre Royal and Tyne Theatre [& Opera House].’
Darren now lives in Whitley Bay, and works as a professional artist. ‘Being original within the world of art is very, very difficult – some say impossible,’ Darren admits. ‘What I developed quite a while ago now was something I hoped people would relate to in terms of the messages and also the style. I’m not particularly great at painting people so I opted to paint pictures without the need to have people telling the stories, so I guess telling stories with a vivid colour palette has become my style. The thing that people tell me when they look at my work is that it makes them smile, so I take that as a huge compliment.’
Darren finds his inspiration all around him. ‘From the world around us in terms of some of the environmental pieces I’ve done like ‘Love Where You Live, which is based on the condition of the planet, to pieces that are inspired by the local area,’ Darren says. ‘Sycamore Forever, for example, was painted in reaction to the deliberate felling of the tree at Sycamore Gap and represents the re-growth and magical powers the tree still holds for so many people.’
For the past six years Darren has been a loyal supporter of Living North’s Christmas Fair at Newcastle Racecourse. ‘I never wanted to get heavily involved in the fairs and events circuit so when I decided to do the Living North event (and it proved to be a huge success) I decided to continue doing it year after year,’ he says. ‘My customers now expect it from me and come especially to see me and to see the new products and paintings I’ve done for that event. It’s also a great way to pick up new fans of my work.’
Darren recently celebrated the opening of his gallery in Whitley Bay, but says this too was never part of his long-term plan. ‘I think things happened quite organically with this new venture; my kids reaching an age with their schooling that didn’t require any more school runs which does make a huge difference to your working day,’ he says. ‘Another big factor being that I was looking for a new gallery in the North East to stock my work and after not finding one, I started looking around the local area for premises that might work as a gallery/studio space. I knew I wanted to work in Whitley Bay as it’s my hometown as well as being somewhere I think a new art gallery would be appreciated.
‘I’ve stocked the gallery with a mix of products. As well as offering original paintings in various sizes and price points, I offer a big selection of prints, from canvas prints to mounted and framed paper prints, in both limited edition and open editions. As well as prints and originals, I’ve expanded my gift range which has proved very popular and now have a huge collection of ceramic decorations, greetings cards, ceramic coasters, jigsaws, mugs, and at Christmas time my annual calendar which always sells out. The key was to offer something for everyone who stepped inside the gallery. Not every customer is going to want to purchase a large painting, so having a range of items at various prices gives everyone the chance to leave with something.’
Darren’s typical day would be less structured before the gallery opened. Now, he opens the gallery at 10am but likes to get in earlier to paint before customers arrive and to get a head-start on admin and packaging. ‘My day now is quite often taken up by plenty of chats with customers coming into the gallery and wanting to know about my work processes and the stories behind the individual paintings,’ Darren says. ’As you can imagine, this has had an effect on my painting productivity, but chatting with customers is something I enjoy and after working pretty much in solitude for more than 12 years at home it makes a refreshing change to my day.’
Darren is excited about the gallery’s future and remains passionate about creativity. ‘The response so far has been amazing. It’s something the people of Whitley Bay have been telling me they wanted on Park View,’ he adds. ‘I’m already planning the new phase and getting my studio space completed so I can be more productive and have a comfortable place to create new work. I’m very much looking forward to spring and summer next year with all the tourism that Whitley Bay brings to the region.
‘Art is so, so important in our lives, it helps you escape, to think and to create happiness. I do also say that, as an artist, I think its very important to have access to art and just as important to be able to create art. Everyone can paint regardless of whether you think you can or not, you just need to find the medium and the subject matter – and then practise.’
Visit Darren’s art gallery at 149 Park View, Whitley Bay – go to darrenmundy.co.uk for opening hours.
The Lookouts jigsaw, £27
Whitley Lights limited edition giclée print, £170
Coastal Lightshow mini original, £240
