Paul Doyle

Born in Coventry, and educated at the the City of Coventry Boarding School, Paul left school at 16 in order to train as an apprentice draughtsman. Pauls first love however is, and has always been, painting. In fact, on leaving school he lied about his age and entered the Herbert Art Gallerys open exhibition for aged eighteen and over, in Coventry. Even at this tender age he had two of his three works accepted, one of which was singled out for particular praise by the then Lord Mayor of Birmingham.

Paul tried to further his education by taking night school classes, to study art as an A-level. This was to be short lived as, by the third lesson, the art teacher had given up, informing Paul that he should be teaching the class, not studying in it.

Having finished his apprenticeship, Paul went to work designing graphics for a video unit, which then progressed to designing graphics for large conferences which had the added advantage of travel, taking him all over the world, from Europe to Japan.

Although Paul enjoyed his work, he did not enjoy the stresses that went with it, such as the commuting and deadlines. He felt like he was watching his life disappear when there were so many other things that he wanted to do. This is hardly surprising when he tells us that aside from painting, he is obsessed with creating models out of Fimo, and wood carving. He has recently achieved one of his great ambitions, which was to paint a huge mural of badgers onto the side of his Warwickshire home, for which he obtained the blessing of the other villagers and council permission. His long term aim is to buy and convert an old barn. Most importantly he is pursuing a career as an artist.

With this in mind, he visited the Spring Fair at the NEC in search of a publisher and was gratified to come away with several of the major publishers interested in his work. He has now been making a living from his pictures since the middle of 1997 having joined with Sally Mitchell Fine Arts who released his first three prints in October 1997, to considerable success.

1998 was a great year for him with the release of a further five prints in the spring, all becoming hot sellers. This is no accident, and it is not just down to raw talent, with which he is well endowed. Paul is hard working, and a realist. He understands that great art is not created overnight, and that simply creating a pretty picture is not enough. Great things are set to come from this artist! 1999 saw his first major sell out, 'Dog Tyred' which went in less than three months.

The Millenium has started well for Paul becomming a finalist for The Fine Art Trade Guild 'Up and Coming Artist of the Year' and his follow up to 'Dog Tyred'; 'Up Periscope' launched in Febuary looks set to go the same way as it's predecessor. He has also been commissioned to produce five sets of collectors plates over the next eighteen months for Danbury Mint, while the sales of his paintings seem to have exploded! If all that isn't enough, he achieved considerable aclaim in Mexico where he demonstrated in Mexico City.

Pauls other interests are as diverse as you would expect, ranging from motorbikes, in particular old English bikes, to animals, with a minor obsession for tigers, although any sort of animal holds a fascination for him. He lives with his two Border Collies, Paddy and Belle.


Pauls paintings and prints are available from Sally Mitchell Fine Arts and he is happy to undertake a few commissions each year.