Pittenweem, Harbour
By Alfred Malocco

Alfred Malocco - The Steam-Driven Artist

Interview with the artist on the Art in Scotland website
www.artinscotland.com

After a successful career as a Chartered Architect, Alfred Malocco took early retirement to persue his passion for painting. ''I'm constantly amazed when people want to buy my paintings - but naturally delighted. It's great fun to be able to do something you really like and enjoy ... and get paid for doing it as well,'' said Alfred Malocco in a conversation with Art In Scotland (AIS).


AIS: Before we start, Alfred - tell me if this is correct, in a way of a very brief introduction.

Your were born in Falkirk. You attended Bell Baxter High School in Cupar and then went to University to study architecture.
'Pittenweem Harbour' was a winner of Shell Fife Art 2003.

As a qualified architect you worked in London for a short spell, then returned to Scotland to join James Parr & Partners of Dundee where you enjoyed a long and successful career.

You retired young at 57, and since then have been enjoying another career - as an artist. You paint and exhibit your work here in Collessie, deep in rural North East Fife ... and your gallery is called 'The Glebe Gallery and Studio'.

Is this a fair introduction or have I left out anything important our readers need to know at this stage?

Malocco: Yes Ali, your introduction is accurate ... and my studio doubles as a gallery at various times throughout the year, including a North Fife Open Studios weekend in May, each year.

AIS: Had you always planned to take up painting on your retirement?

Malocco: I didn't go straight into painting when I retired. That early stage of retirement was just right for me to get back to a project I had long-neglected. I had to complete the construction of a live Steam Traction Engine first before embarking into painting ...


Malocco Steam Traction Engine

It took two years to complete this venture, after 40 years of waiting. I had nurtured a passion to build a steam traction engine ever since I was a boy - a fascination with engineering and live steam.

Over the years I had built up a fairly impressive engineering workshop and developed sufficient technical skills to take on the challenge. I got to know some very good and skilled engineers in the area who became very helpful to me.

I also rebuilt an old outbuilding to create a studio space. My wife had used this as a successful antique shop for 12 years while I was still practising as an architect.

AIS: And now you've become a Steam-driven artist, I suppose. So how did your transition into painting come about?

Malocco: Painting was another interest I had from early age. I'd always had a fascination for oil painting, but had no training at all. I was quite good at drawing and watercolour painting at school and college, but later as a practising architect I became less of a designer and more of an administrator and marketer. You tend to lose some of your artistic skills when you are not in regular practice.

When I began painting again, without formal training, I started with the help of Teach-Yourself books and went through the long process of developing my own methods and techniques.

I still remember the first oil painting I did ...


Green Yacht - St Monans

It was of a boat in Anstruther harbour (not this one) - and I sold it. Since then I have been selling oil and watercolour paintings regularly. I particularly enjoy painting landscapes and seascapes, but I also paint portraits, still-life and figure studies. I'm constantly looking for ways to develop my skills and travel a lot looking for material - Italy, Scotland, France, Portugal and Scandinavia.

AIS: OK, Alfred, you are probably tired answering this next question, but I'll ask any way. What really inspires you to paint?

Malocco: It's simple, really. Almost natural, you might say. You come across a scene; all you know is somehow it grabs your attention ...


Lucca Piazza Napoleone

Then you notice the composition. Composition is very important to most painters. The quality of light is important too. In your mind's eye you see the scene leading into a painting. You know you want to paint it. Is that what you mean by inspiration?

I like painting water and sky. I'm always looking for material with these elements in them. I like painting to be bold and capture the atmosphere at the same time.

AIS: Do you use any particular technique in your painting?

Malocco: Normally, I start by quickly covering the whole canvas at once. At this stage I can visualise the finished painting to some extent. But this is only the beginning. I then come back painting the canvas over and over and over until I decide the painting is finished.

Usually with oils, it's the underpainting that is important, as much of the character that I try to impart comes from allowing the underpainting to show through.

I often refer to photographs loosely as the starting point of making a painting. I am always looking for an interesting colourful picture but it doesn't have to be all that accurate.

Salute Venice

As an architect you are disciplined to draw things very accurately. So this is breaking the habit of a lifetime. Draftmanship, proportion and perspective are equally important though, but the painting has to be much freer.

AIS: I hope this is not impertinent of me to ask. Do you paint what people buy, or you paint for your pleasure - which comes first?

Malocco: Truth is I paint whatever I think makes an attractive picture. I paint what I would want to hang in my house.

San Marco

If I like it, that's what matters most. But it's a huge bonus if other people like my paintings too.


Pittenweem Harbour

I'm constantly amazed when people want to buy my paintings - but naturally delighted. It's great fun ... to be able to do something you really like and enjoy, and get paid for doing it as well.

AIS: I've noticed you don't show your work in other commercial galleries, why is that?

Malocco: You are right, I don't. I mainly exhibit and sell my work from my gallery/studio here in Collessie. This keeps me busy enough.


Pittenweem Harbour - main

I've had 10 one-man shows here, so far, and a successful solo exhibition at Sir David Young Gallery in Edinburgh - and have raised a sizeable amount of money for charity to date.

AIS: Which brings me to another question, then. I also notice you regularly donate a percentage of your sales to charities. Tell me about the kind of charities you support from your art work and why you choose these particular funds - is this an OK question or what?

Malocco: I currently donate to Macmillan Cancer Support, and I have also supported Marie Curie Cancer Care, Maggie’s Centre, Cupar Hospital and others over the past 5 years.

AIS: You obviously have a good following of customers or buyers for your paintings - where do they all come from to such a small place as Collessie, and how do you nurture and develop your relationship with them?

Malocco: I have built up a good client base over the years. Many of my clients are multi repeat-buyers, and they come mainly from Fife, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen and even London. I keep them regularly informed about forthcoming exhibitions by mail.

AIS: And now you are planning another Solo Show soon - your annual Christmas show. Tell me about it. Do you have any surprises for your followers?

Malocco: My next one man show at the Glebe Gallery will run from Sunday 7th December until 14th December, 10.30am till 3.30pm daily, and a preview day on Saturday 6th December by invitation.

No surprises I'm sorry, but lots of new material covering my main subject - seascapes with some figurative work.

AIS: Finally Alfred, what advice would you give other artists thinking of following your example?

Malocco: Believe in yourself and your abilities. If you like your work, then it is quite likely there are others who'll also like it.

Constant practice, continual study and experimentation is essential. Use the very best materials and make sure your work is always professionally presented. Market yourself in the best way to suit your personality and your work.

AIS: Alfred, thanks for contributing so much to this intereview. What's the best way for readers to contact you when they want more information about your work or your exhibitions?

Malocco: Contact me by email art@malocco.co.uk or by visiting my website at www.malocco.co.uk or call 01337 810 338

I also carry an advertisement in the local papers nearer to the date of my show.