Biography

The biography of Aaron W.J. Pilgrim.

I was good at art at a young age in the 70’s , & luckily my primary school teacher was an artist called Beryle Harrison.  She always encouraged me to draw.  In the 80’s at 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.

In, ‘The Mauldsley Hospital’ I then had some art therapy, & I could see a similarity between my drawing style and that of Vincent van Gogh.  As a result I regained my passion for art, this being in 1996 aged 25.

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

I then went through a period in the late 90’s  & early 00’s of reading numerous painting technique books, trying to watch lots of art programs on TV, & art technique DVDs.

I then studied at Morley College in Westminster Bridge Road.  I was lucky to study there under 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 Michelle Baharier, & then a life class under Royal Acadamcian Denzil Forrester.

In 2007 I then found out about Cooltan Arts.  They are an arts charity in South London.  At Cooltan Arts I have studied under some great art tutors learning a great deal.  In particular I studied under the artist Rossen Daskalov.  He kindly taught me many Old Master painting, printing and sculpture techniques.  I have created a lot of art work at Cooltan Arts, and have been in many exhibitions though them.

I then met the great artist 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 also bought his, ‘Chasing the Sunset’ painting becoming a art collector.

For two years I was part of the Cooltan Arts poetry group.  I read my poetry with the backing classical music of the Waterloo Sinfonia, & also at Shakespeare’s The Globe Theatre.

In 2015 I started to write & self publish Amazon books, including 20 fantasy Sci Fi ‘The Isley Adventure Chronicles,’ ‘The History of Art Materials,’ 2 poetry books, & my dads biography which is ‘Keith’s Nice life.’  I also wrote my autobiography, ‘I still have Dreams a life with Schizophrenia’ all about my recovery from mental illness. 

I then attended Arts Network mainly to learn mosiacs, who I learnt from Emily Pattison.  I breifly sold work at, ‘The Artful Pelican Gallery.’  I had solo art shows at Arts Network, Pistacios Cafe in Hilly Fields Park, and Deli Felice Coffee Shop in Surrey Docks. 

In 2025/26 then self narrated my autobiography &, ‘The History of Art Materials’ as Audible audiobooks.

I now attend, ‘Trowbridge Service Users’ for art therapy.