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Sep 08, 2010

Alexander Millar

The artist Alexander Millar was born in 1960 near Kilmarnock, Scotland. His life conformed to the traditional lifestyle of a Scottish village, and many of his prints show this influence. He spent his most impressionable years among old-fashioned men and women. Alex’s father was a British Rail employee; the young artist found the atmosphere of the steam-filled stations a decisive influence on his works. In fact, many Alexander Millar prints, taken from the original paintings, make this influence evident. In 1976, he left Kilmarnock to live in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He held many different jobs until he finally turned to full-time painting in 1988. Alex never received formal instruction in art but his individualistic style has become very famous. There is now a great demand for his prints, the most popular theme being solitary figures in quaint settings. Many people say that their Alexander Millar prints remind them of their fathers or grandfathers. Alex has held a number of successful art exhibitions. In fact, the ‘Daily Mail’ selected one of his paintings as a finalist for the ‘Not the Turner Prize’. It featured as an exhibit at the Mall Galleries in London. He draws inspiration from gossiping old women on street corners, tired men returning home from work, dogs cocking a leg against street corners and town drunks. He feels that they are all part of an existential street ballet. A rickety, battered bicycle that he bought at a second hand shop for £30 also features in many Alexander Millar prints. Alex’s unique technique consists of choosing a figure, transferring it to canvas and blocking it as a dark silhouette. He then adds each layer of paint to separate the tones.
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