Biography

The biography of Aaron W.J. Pilgrim

I was good at art at a young age, & luckily my Ivydale Primary School teacher was an artist called Beryle Harrison.  She always encouraged me to draw.  At Addey & Stanhope Secondary School my art teacher, called Miss Van Rhymesdyke, helped me to gain an ‘O’ Level in art.    Upon leaving school I didn’t draw or paint much for nine years.

I then had some art therapy in The Maudsley Hospital & I could see a similarity between my drawing style and that of Vincent van Gogh.  As a result I regained my passion for art.

I then became a good friend with a neighbour, her name was Jan Ellis, & she was an art teacher at the prestigious Goldsmiths University.  Jan gave me good critic and we had friendly chats about art.

I then studied at Morley College in Westminster Bridge Road.  I was lucky to study there under the mural & trompeoelule artist Doughlas Druce.  Doughlas was in his senior years and had been taught as a young boy by an elderly pre-Raphaelite artist.  He as a result was passing on Victorian techniques to his students.  Next at Morely College, I studied Dynamic Art under  multidisciplinary artist Michelle Baharier, who I  would again become friends with at Cooltan Arts that she founded, & then a life class under the Royal Academician Denzil Forrester MBE.

I then found out about Cooltan Arts.  They were an arts charity in South London.  In particular at Cooltan Arts I studied under the Bolgarian artist Rossen Daskalov.  He kindly taught me many Old Master painting, printing & sculpture techniques.  I was in many Cooltan Arts ‘group shows.’  Helping to frame & hang work as a volunter.

I then met the artist, historian & broadcaster Leo Stevenson at his studio open day.  He kindly answered many questions about how he works, & I learned a great deal about the tricks of the trade.  I became a art collector buying a painting from him.

I then did a printing course back at Morley College under David Holah.  Next a workshop at Print Club London under silkscreen illustrator Oli Fowler learning ‘photographic silk screening.’

I then designed a cast iron ‘manhole cover’ artwork called, ‘The Wishing Well.’  It was a project run by the artist Leoni Bullcock, & it was set into the pavement in Camberwell Church Street outside the Hermits Cave Pub.  But sadly it was removed.

Sadly the charity Cooltan Arts closed in 2018.

I also have some artwork on the charity website, ‘Outside In,’ & some of my artwork for sale on a Etsy shop, ‘AWJPilgrim.’

I have self published on Amazon 53 books as ebook, paperback & hardback including the epic, ‘The History of Art Materials,’ & you can see them on my Amazon Author Page at, ‘amazon awjpilgrim’

I composed, ‘Cycling in Kent’ by whistling & it was notated by Mercedes Maresca.  I also recorded some RAP music with the beatboxer Kimmy Beatbox.  I started ‘aaron pilgrim soundcloud’ to showcase my music.

Susan Greenway & Joshua Saxon have narrated my audiobooks & you can buy them on Amazon, Audible & iTunes.

I started to attend the arts charity  ‘Arts Network’.  There I have made a mosaic under Emily Patterson.  I have now tried all the main art techniques and materials, & I feel it has improved my creative abilities.  I then briefly started to sell my art work in ‘The Artful Pelican’ Gallery.’  At Arts Network I then had my first, ‘Solo Show.’  It was a dream come true, and was particularly pleased to see I had a style & bright colour palette unique to me.  My next solo shows were at ‘Pistachios Cafe’ in Hilly Fields Park, & ‘Deli Felice’ coffee shop.

I then started my YouTube channel called, awjpilgrim, and started to self narrate my audiobooks.

I enjoy working on my own, but I particularly love working as a team, & I look forward to future collaborations.

I am giving away some of my artwork for FREE to get my work on people’s walls to give pleasure.