No.3 - HeARTh Tales talks to Ewan McDougall - Painter

This is an interview with New Zealand oil painter Ewan McDougall, who lives in Ōtepoti (Dunedin) with his writer wife, Sarah. McDougall recounts his unconventional journey to becoming an artist, which involved a brief and disliked stint in law school after being a top student. He then pursued political studies during the Vietnam War era and was involved in rock and roll bands, embracing a party lifestyle that led him to travel the world. Despite this, he always maintained a love for art, visiting major galleries. A significant turning point occurred after a fight with some motorcyclists resulted in a serious neck injury. This led to therapy and a psychiatrist encouraging him to paint a mural, which solidified his path as an artist in 1989.

McDougall discusses his artistic evolution from a soft realism taught by Colin Wheeler to a more distinctive style influenced by artists like Salvador Dali and New Zealand painters Tony Fomison and Philip Clairmont, as well as word paintings. He describes his intuitive painting process, often starting with a wash and directly applying oil paint with a knife, allowing the painting to develop organically. He also touches on his pre-show ritual of running through the gallery.

While generally not overtly political in his art, McDougall acknowledges his left-leaning views and recounts a few deliberately political pieces. He reflects on the freedom of being an artist outside traditional hierarchical structures and shares an anecdote about refusing to give a discount to a billionaire. He also discusses his early struggles to sustain himself as an artist, relying on accident compensation and Sarah's support. He offers advice to aspiring artists to persevere if they love it. Finally, he mentions his website, Instagram, and various galleries representing his work in Dunedin, Christchurch, and Auckland, as well as upcoming exhibitions.