George Weait is a contemporary artist whose work captures both the vibrancy of social experience and the intimacy of personal reflection. From his early sketches inspired by house parties and club nights to his more recent explorations of mood, emotion and environment, George’s art is a journey through his evolving perspective. With a style that ranges from large-scale canvases to minimalistic sketches, his work reflects experimentation, collaboration and a deeply personal connection to his subjects.
Learn more about George as we interview him and explore what really goes on behind the canvas:
Q: How do you choose who you paint in your portraits?
GW: ‘The person has to resonate with me quite a lot whenever I draw an individual portrait. My portraits always come from my mind, drawing inspiration from memories, moments and conversations I’ve had. When I create a portrait, I like to have just met with that person or to feel their energy. I find it difficult to reminisce on a memory and then create; I prefer to work with something recent and immediate.
Sometimes, when painting a friend, I like to have them present in the room. Their presence elevates the piece to a whole new meaning. It’s almost like a collaboration, making the work more soulful and organic. In one piece, Indie, that a lot of people seem to like, the colours are bright, reflecting one of my closest friends, a beautiful woman with whom I’ve shared many wonderful moments. She was in the room when I created this piece, shortly after a beautiful memory we shared together’.
George Weait, Indi
Q: Can you describe how your work has evolved?
GW: ‘With my first collection, my initial style of creating artworks was very much based around dancing, raving and people I met at house parties or clubs, I started developing a style through sketchbooks over the course of three years.
Once my first collection, Talking Heads, finally came out, I felt it wrapped up that period of my life. Over the last couple of years, I’ve maintained similar forms of artwork, but I’ve also experimented with new ideas and innovations that resemble who I am now.
I’m in my mid-twenties and going through a soulful, meaningful change, which has influenced my artwork significantly. I’m lucky to be able to experiment, painting large-scale pieces but also returning to minimal sketches, which gives me satisfaction in the way I create. My next collection will be very different, but I hope it maintains the energy people recognised in my first work’.
George Weait, A Long Journey
Q: How do different environments affect the way you create your art?
GW: ‘I like to experience the best of both worlds when it comes to creating, whether in the countryside or a busy London environment. At the moment, I work every day in a South London studio surrounded by noise, industrial activity and a lot of energy.
When I created out in the countryside for my first collection, there was peace, quiet, nature, birds and beautiful energy. My subject matter could still be controlled with this clarity. Right now, I am trying to create in a more simplistic and subdued way, but the noise and intensity of London can have a heavy impact. My art comes from experimentation, unplanned brush strokes and new ideas, but the city’s energy affects the process’.
George Weait, Three Monkeys
Q: What experiences influence your artwork?
GW: ‘Wherever I go and whatever I do influences my artwork. I often test my capabilities, visualising things in a unique and contrasting way compared with everyday perception. My emotions affect whether I see something as beautiful or mundane. The most minimalistic things can appear bright and wonderful, while intense experiences can feel subdued if I am not in the right mindset.
I like to observe, sketch and emulate my life on canvas constantly. This includes experimentation and a desire to perceive the world through my evolving style as I grow as an artist’.
George Weait, Kiki Effect
Q: How do you know when a piece of art is ready to be shared?
GW: ‘I put a lot of pressure on myself to create artwork that truly encapsulates who I am. Each piece must be a part of me, which takes effort and energy. The love, care and the moment of creation must shine through on the canvas when it is displayed.
I want to look at the canvas and know I am happy with it, and I hope it makes someone else feel happy too. If I don’t understand a piece or feel dissatisfied, it is not released. I believe that over time, each artwork will evolve and refine itself, existing as its own entity’.
George Weait’s work is an invitation to explore the interplay between memory, presence and experimentation. His latest collection is on display at Amber Galleries, offering visitors the chance to experience his vibrant, thoughtful and deeply personal approach to contemporary art.