LYELL...

I am Douglas Lyell, a disabled artist from Reading whose life has been shaped by profound trauma, resilience, and transformation. My early years were marked by unspeakable abuse, leaving deep psychological scars that made it difficult to navigate a society driven by competition and conformity. The pain I carried was compounded by systemic failures and exploitation, leaving me isolated and disillusioned.

For a long time I felt adrift- until I stumbled upon a book about Van Gogh in the Middlesex Polytechnic library. His story though tragic, sparked something in me; a belief that art could be a lifeline. That moment became a turning point. In 2014, I exhibited twice in New York- an experience that felt surreal and strangely hollow. Around that time , I began brewing alcohol at home in Cornwall, seeking escape from the memories that haunted me. But those memories grew louder, eventually breaking into my waking life in 2023.

In 2024 I married a born again LDS Christian whose faith and love helped me find my own spiritual path. I've since embraced sobriety, and today I live with a renewed sense of purpose. I no longer seek refuge in substances; instead, I find clarity and strength in the present moment.

Artistic Development...

My artistic journey began with relentless study and observation. I spent hours each day sketching sculptures and paintings in the British Museum and National gallery, and drawing animals in London Zoo. Evenings were devoted to Life drawing and portraiture classes- some private, others council run, or held at the Sir John Cass College. I lived reclusively in a derelict house in Tottenham, immersed in my craft.

In 1988, I joined Cecil Collins' class at Central School, which profoundly influenced my artistic philosophy. Around the same time, I began creating large expressionist works on Fabriano paper at Waltham Forest College. My path then led me to Reading University- a challenging environment where I experimented with drippy gloss enamel and even set fire to some canvases, driven by raw emotion and the spirit of abstact expressionism.

Afterward I continued working in a lock- up garage, producing art on homemade canvases and smaller sheets of paper. A year at Coventry University followed, where I pursued an MA and found a more nurturing atmosphere. The studio still housed century old easels, echoing the legacy of artists before me.

Throughout my journey, I've remained committed to the "Art of Inner Necessity." I am and always have been, an expressionist- my canvases bear clear witness to that truth.

My recent canvases are more realistic than anything I have produced since my foundation course. I like to paint older people with plenty of lines on their faces.

Feel free to browse through my gallery images below.