Paul Treasure is a British painter known for his expressive oil paintings reflecting the natural world. Characterised by movement, texture and gestural brushwork, Paul’s paintings capture the underlying emotion of a place. Inspiration comes at every turn, from the scenic shores of the Cornish coast, to the chalk streams of the Test Valley. Light, and the interplay between light and colour, sit at the heart of his oil paintings. Together with his signature use of a palette knife, Paul’s application of colour and attention to light gives each of his paintings a tangible sense of depth. Whether reflecting chaos or calm, his paintings are unified by their ability to portray the essence of nature.

He often paints instinctively from memory, and for Paul, the act of painting is the act of absorbing oneself in the elements. His practice is routed in immersing himself in every aspect of his painterly process. He sees the mixing of paint, the building of textures and the act of mark making as a visual transference of emotion. Bursts of colour illuminate Paul’s studio, as his palettes often become paintings and his paintings seep onto the surrounding walls. This spontaneity is reflected in all of his work, and he follows an entirely intuitive approach to produce a multi-sensory body of work.

Born in Gloucestershire in 1961, Paul Treasure studied at Cheltenham College of Art before moving to London to live and work. During this time, his art gained international recognition and was commissioned for public works of art, as well as private collections. Before too long he embarked on a year travelling the world, journeying through Africa, India, South East Asia and Central America exploring the rich textures, vibrant colours and ever-changing character of the natural world. Following this he was commissioned as the expedition artist of the first ever crossing of the Taklamakan Desert in North West China.

Now living and working in Hampshire, the rivers and chalk streams of the Test Valley are an endless source of inspiration to Paul, as are the seascapes of the southwest coast and the inspiration he gains from his continued travel around the world.