Michael Aubrey has been a barrister, university teacher, journalist and schoolmaster, and, for the past twenty five years, a full time artist. He studied at Cambridge and has painted since his childhood, mostly as a watercolourist. He is a Fellow of the British Watercolour Society and exhibits internationally. He is a keen musician, playing the bassoon in various chamber music ensembles. He has a particular interest in opera and has designed a number of theatrical productions. Recently he has been commissioned to paint a series of well known schools, colleges and other public buildings. His work is widely collected internationally and over 30 solo exhibitions have been held in London, Paris and other countries including those in Australia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, under the patronage of the British Council. He lives in a 15th century drovers' inn in Oundle, Northamptonshire, where he has his studio and gallery, in which work may be viewed by appointment.

About the work:
Michael Aubreyʼs masterly handling of tone and colour have established him as one of the country's leading watercolourists, and his paintings have a vibrance and intensity rarely seen in what is often considered a somewhat restrained medium. Indeed, his watercolours and oils hang alongside each other in harmony, the actual medium sometimes only apparent on close inspection. All display the same qualities of dynamic lighting, brilliant colour and an unerring sense of composition, explaining the feeling of “rightness” upon which viewers frequently remark. He is a mainly figurative artist, keeping alive the long English tradition of pure watercolourists (no mixed media for him) , maintaining the characteristic transparency of the paint whilst giving the colours a new depth and brilliance.

One of the characteristics of all Michaelʼs exhibitions is the immense range of subjects: not for him the “variations on a theme” sometimes seen in exhibitions. His extensive range of subject matter includes subjects from Norfolk, Venice, France, Tuscany and Africa as well as still life. But whatever the subject, his lively, spontaneous treatment ensures that there is always a sense of "being there" ; the paintings have a freshness and immediacy which gives the impression that they have been dashed off joyfully and effortlessly.

Michael has never claimed deep significance for his paintings and prefers to regard them as simple records of observed moments which have given him pleasure and which he enjoys sharing with others. Whilst his paintings are direct and accessible
it is astonishing how frequently one hears similar comments from those who are fortunate to own one : that they continue to brighten up their lives day by day, even years after being bought. At a recent exhibition one viewer, previously unfamiliar with his work, was overheard remarking “ These must have been painted by a very
happy man”, a comment which greatly pleased Michael when reported to him, and which may account for his increasing international reputation : over 30 solo exhibitions have been held in London, Paris, Sydney and other capital cities, some
under the auspices of the British Council. Michael writes:

"I think of my paintings as personal celebrations of ordinary life. My
work tends to be relatively small scale both in choice of subject and actual size. I rarely paint expansive vistas but prefer to focus on the particular and individual, often with some suggestion of a narrative . Perhaps these choices reflect my general preferences ; as a musician I mainly play chamber music.

In recent years I have become increasingly interested in colour, the endless possibilities of which I find immensely exciting - a considerable departure from the subdued , tonal landscapes which I was painting ten years ago.”

This is truly an exhibition to lift the spirits.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
1985 Yarrow Gallery, Oundle
1986 Deben Gallery, Woodbridge
1987 Arts Centre, Stamford
1988 Yarrow Gallery, Oundle
1989 Picturecraft Gallery, Holt, Norfolk
1990 St James Gallery, London
1991 Yarrow Gallery, Oundle
1992 Newington Gallery, Sydney, Australia
1993 Wall Gallery, Sydney, Australia
1994 Yarrow Gallery, Oundle
1995 Gallery Wan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
British Council, Colombo, Sri Lanka
1996 Church Hill Gallery, Knutsford
1997 Yarrow Gallery, Oundle
1998 Walker Gallery, Harrogate
Art Connoisseur Gallery, London
1999 Church Hill Gallery, Knutsford
Helmsley Arts Centre
Old Hind Gallery, Oundle
2000 Chapel Gallery, Riseley
The Gallery in Cork Street, London
2001 Old Hind Gallery, Oundle
The Gallery, Cirencester
2002 Wren Gallery, Burford
The Gallery in Cork Street, London
2003 Church Hill Gallery, Knutsford
Old Hind Gallery, Oundle
2004 Ben Nicholson Gallery, Holt
Guggleton Gallery, Stalbridge
The Gallery in Cork Street, London
2005 Galerie Etienne de Causans, Paris
Old Hind Gallery , Oundle
2006 Guggleton Gallery, Stalbridge
The Gallery in Cork Street, London
2007 The Old Hind Gallery, Oundle
Helmsley Arts Centre
2008 Sadler Street Gallery, Wells
The Gallery in Cork Street, London
2009 Grapevine Gallery , Burnham Market
The Old Hind Gallery, Oundle
2010 Hay Hill Gallery, London
The Colomb Art Gallery, London

WORKS HANG IN THE FOLLOWING COLLECTIONS
Private collections in England, France, USA, Australia, Switzerland and Malaysia.

H.R.H.The Prince of Wales, H.R.H. The Princess Royal, The Duke of Somerset, The Rt. Hon. Lord Mayhew, The Rt. Hon. Lord Rawlinson, The Rt. Hon. Lord Howe, The Malaysian High Commission, The Sri Lankan High Commission, Gray's Inn, Mercantile & General Insurance, H.E.The Sultan of Oman, Newington College, Sydney, The Hon Sir Brian Smedley, The Royal Academy of Music, The Middle Temple, Clare College, Cambridge, Marylebone Cricket Club, GMS Estates, The Inner Temple, Sir Alister Kneller, The RE Group of Companies, The Caledonian Bank.