Biography
My nickname is ‘Bonus’ pronounced Bonnus. It is the Latin adjective for ‘Good’ earned at the tender age of 12 at Grammar School for my singular lack of ability to master the language. I was thus christened by a classmate by the name of Ken Howard who now has ‘RA’ tagged onto the end of his name.
I was far more interested in The Arts, English Literature, Geography, History and Sport. The later ranged over the years through rugby, cricket, tennis, semi-Professional cycling and junior ice hockey.
From school I went into engineering then marketing until in 1987 I opened an art gallery in Chichester with my Partner before retirement and the permanent move to Spain in 2002.
I began to paint at the age of eight using watercolour then switched to oils when 14, which I use still today.
I am a figurative painter tending more towards an impressionistic interpretation than strictly photographic in my scenic work. Although my portrait and pencil/charcoal works are more representational. Urban & coastal scenes are my favourite subjects although I do occasionally tackle landscapes. Figure works are pure relaxation exercises mainly in pencil or charcoal although I have worked one figurative piece up in oils (Reclining Nude).
Primarily I use Sennelier Artist oils with some colours from the Winsor & Newton Artists range unobtainable through Sennelier.
My favourite artists are Delacroix, Greco, Constable, Titian and Turner of the Old Masters and present day include Bernard Dunstan, RA, Ken Howard, RA, Jason Bowyer, Kasey Sealy and, more recently, Tim Deibler has caught my eye.. I admire the no nonsense walts and all approach of Daphne Todd.
People sometimes ask for tips on painting. I offer only one: Draw, draw, draw every day for at least an hour. Draw just half an hour if you are really pushed. But draw as much as you can.
Exhibitions & Competitions
(Selection) England
Individual
1987 - 1991 Artist in Residence, Crane Gallery, Chichester, UK
1996 - 2000 Artist in Residence, Restaurant Bell House Gallery, Chichester, UK
The Old Bakehouse Gallery, Chichester, UK
Art Gallery, Library, Worthing, UK
Art Gallery, Library, Chichester, UK
English Collective Exhibitions & Competitions
1986 Gold Medal Winner, Festival of Arts Slough, Slough, UK
Studio 51 Gallery, Group Exhibition, London, UK
1987 Slough Arts Festival, Slough, UK
1988 - 1992 Association of Sussex Artists, Christos Hospital, Sussex, UK
1998 - 2001 'Not The Royal Academy', Llewellyn Alexander Gallery, London, UK
1998 - 2001 Chelsea Arts Society Annual Exhibition, UK
Spanish
2004 Raphael Delgado, Velez Malaga (Malaga)
Artist gallery Tamisa, Mijas Pueblo (Malaga)
Individual Exhibition Casa Larios, Torre Del Mar (Malaga)
2005 The website established www.brianreifer.com
Artist Tamisa galeria, Mijas Pueblo (Malaga)
Individual Exposión room, Casa Larios, Torre Del Mar, Malaga
Exhibition Gallery Goodchild, Renazé, France
2006 - 2010 Individual exhibitions at Cultural Centres in Torre Del Mar and Torrox Costa.
Artist Gallery Goodchild, Renazé, France
Artist Gallery Tamisa, Mijas
2006 Two person exhibition Galeria Lucia Restaurant, Fuengirola
AIA Group Exhibition, Gallery Van Gestel, Marbella
AIA Group Exhibition, Fuengirola.
2008 Certamen Contemporaneo Torremolinos, MALAGA
2009 Individual Exhibition, Artenova, Torre Del Mar
2010 Individual Exhibition Riogordo Galeria, Axarquia
Gallery Artist, Riogordo Galeria, Axarquia.
