I’m Neil Hayward,
As far back as I can remember; I have always felt truly inspired by nature. At the same time; I developed an ongoing passion for creating art and exploring photography. Nature, art and photography would always fuel one another and help make me feel truly alive, appreciative and worth living each day for regardless of where I was in my journey through life.
Together they became an inspiration to pursue my desires and goals in education, hobbies and careers. Graduating in 2006 for a BA(Hons) fine art, and completing a PGCE in secondary Art and Design in 2009. It had always been my desire to help others feel inspired through both my own art work and by teaching or guiding others to explore their own passions through art.
Throughout my life nature has always been there when I needed it the most; it has played such an important, therapeutic and meaningful role. I have suffered, and continue to live each day with multiple health conditions; all of which were through no fault of my own. Please see ‘My Story’ page for an insight into my journey through life. I don’t share my story to look for sympathy; I open up about it in the hope of trying to inspire others who have suffered unfortunate events in life. Nature is such a unique and natural gift that can be appreciated by anyone.
In art, photography and nature; It’s not always just about what you see; it can go a lot deeper than that. It is how it makes you feel or what it means to you, the way it can inspire thoughts, intrigue or appreciation.
I am always reminded and wish to share through my art how brief moments can appear so mesmerizing, how a place can become so thought provoking, how natures elements are capable of becoming so fascinating or beautiful to the eye. From the atmosphere created by the whole environment right down to wildlife and the small intricate details. It is not always about the goal of creating a 'perfect' final piece: but the unique individual journeys and processes we explore and experience along the way.
With my background; it has also been hard to pursue only one medium or approach when creating my own work. From drawing to painting, sculpture to land art (temporary sculpture), mixed media to photography, even times when art and photography are merged; different techniques enable me to approach, explore and portray my own inspiration in numerous ways. That aside; nature continues to be the key behind influencing me what to create or explore next.
A lot of my recent and ongoing approach to art draws me in to look at my natural subject closer; an approach that fascinated me when starting my art journey as a child. Working in this style enables me to admire such beautiful and fascinating detail that can so easily not be noticed at a glance. Nature is created with such unique and mesmerizing detail if you allow your mind to become deeply absorbed by what you are seeing.
I have spent most my life in Guildford, Surrey; an area that has inspired most of my art and photography work. Despite never being able to drive due to my medical background and often limited to where I can realistically get to; it has truly made me explore small remainders of our beautiful natural landscape that are still present and accessible despite our ever-growing urban environments. Just how important they can be for our mental health too. Absorb and look into a place deep enough and as I have learnt through my journey; just how captivating and inspirational nature can be, no matter the size or where it is found. Throughout my life I have seen and witnessed so much of our landscape lost and never truly restored due to ever growing urban environments. I truly feel that by losing nature so rapidly and boldly; we are losing one of the greatest gifts in life itself.
‘I truly believe nature is one of our greatest gifts in life’
