graham mckean
A story of courage, creativity, and overcoming life’s toughest challenges with art at the centre.
Since 1996, I have rented a small studio at the Courtyard Studios, Harbourside, Irvine. I gave up my job with a labelling factory in Kilmarnock to become a full-time artist, which was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made. Sacrificing job security and a regular income was a risk when I had a wife and two small children to support. Would I earn enough money from the sales of my painting and drawings?
As a small child, I always drew and painted pictures. I am entirely self-taught. Art is just something I have always been able to do. I see it as my ‘therapy’ in that it keeps me grounded. It’s something I have to do almost every day, and I would certainly not be here today if I did not have it.
I consider myself extremely lucky to be able to make a living from what I love doing and I’m fortunate that my gamble paid off.
In the mid-90s, a number of art galleries started to offer me exhibitions which built interest in my work and saw sales increase. One gallery in Edinburgh flew me to New York to paint in front of the crowds at the New York Art Fair and I also had a solo show in London with a prestigious Mayfair gallery.
But things haven’t always been rosy. Through no fault of my own, I experienced many financial issues resulting in some extremely challenging times. As many people know, being self-employed can be tough.
However, my art has always been about producing pictures that can uplift and inspire so I try to portray images that make me feel better about life. Humour can help to communicate this on an intimate level so it’s important to attract large audiences and to connect with as many people as possible. From this point of view, the internet and social media have been a game changer!
I see so many young people promoting their art on social media these days. It has had such a positive impact for many artists, including myself.
The characters which appear in many of my paintings are fictional, but some are based on memories of old aunties and uncles or people I remember working alongside over the years. I like to use old faces that look as though they have a story or two to tell.
Three years ago, shortly before Christmas, I was told I had bowel cancer. I needed an operation to remove the cancer and to see if it had spread. Needless to say, I was devastated, as was my family. I thought my time was up!
This was an exceptionally difficult period for myself and my family. Thankfully, I am now cancer-free although my health is monitored regularly. I have only praise for the NHS and for the surgeon who saved my life.
The first painting I did on returning to my studio after my first operation was called ‘My New Designer Bag’ depicting the stoma bag that I had to wear, but with a Chanel logo. The response on social media from people all over the world was incredible, particularly from those who had been through the same illness.
‘My New Designer Bag’ was purchased by a private collector at an auction in Glasgow.
My cancer diagnosis has changed my outlook completely. I have come to learn that life is so precious and so short and that you really need to prioritise the important things. Tomorrow is not necessarily a given.
I’m all too aware that the picture I’m currently working on may well be my last. Fingers crossed it’s not!
Limited edition prints are available to purchase from my website
www.graham-mckean.co.uk or from my Courtyard studio at Harbour Street, Irvine, where visitors are very welcome.
