(Victorian Watercolours.com)

I have revamped my web site, and now include an online exhibition of art by artists whose work I enjoy.

George Large lives near me and is a good friend. I first saw a painting by him at the Goldmark Gallery in Uppingham and it blew me away. Unlike a lot of contemporary painters Georges work will stand the test of time. Each is full of power and emotion. They always make me smile and are the embodiment of George. He enjoys making people laugh in his everyday life, a natural comic with a quick wit. But I have never seen him lose his temper. George and his wife Pamela are inseparable and their love comes through in his paintings as well. He is a skilful artist who can work in both watercolour and oil, a rare talent from someone who is still very affordable. But don't buy one as an investment (which they most certainly are) buy one for the sake of having a painting that will give you pleasure every time you look at it. I am offering people the opportunity to commission a piece from George, contact me for more details, but if you prefer to buy off the shelf George has many excellent examples available.

 

Algernon Newton RA 1880-1968 is an artist whose work I admire. Born in Hampstead, London, he studied at Clare College, Cambridge, then at Calderon’s School of animal painting, at the Slade and at the London School of Art. He was known as the Camden Canaletto, producing highly romanticised views of London in the 18th century style. When he began to paint he worked hard to find his way, painting watercolours in the style of Sandby and Cox, until he was able to faithfully reproduce the style epitomised by the greatest artists of the 18th century. But they are not pastiches, they are powerful works in their own right. In 1923 Newton began producing his striking architectural views of London, the work for which he is best known. Newton is famous for using a flawless traditional technique to depict modern subject matter. I have acquired a number of watercolours and drawings by him which were purchased in the early 1970's by a London dealer. They came from his estate. Several are signed with his monogram, most are inscribed. The majority are in black chalks on blue paper and are squared up for transfer to canvas as was his habit. There was a retrospective exhibition at the Sheffield City Art Gallery after he died and a number of the squared up drawings were in the exhibition. Paintings by him rarely come on the market and I was pleased to find this small collection.

George Large RI RBA was born 1936 at the Angel, Islington. Educated 1958-63 at Hornsey College of Art. Met and worked with the potter Bernard Leech (George is an accomplished Potter) and Stanley Spencer. George taught art for some years in St Albans in the 1970's. He became Vice President of The Society of Wood Engravers in 1980 but resigned after he became more interested in watercolours and drawings.

Selected Solo Exhibitions:

1980 Mall Galleries; 1984 National Museum Malta; 1990 Duncan Campbell Fine Arts; 1991 Llewellyn Alexander Fine Arts; 1992 Duncan Campbell Fine Arts; 1993 Llewellyn Alexander Fine Arts; 1994 Duncan Campbell Fine Arts; 1995 Llewellyn Alexander Fine Arts; 1995 Melitensia Art Gallery, Malta; 1996 Duncan Campbell Fine Arts; 1998 Melitensia Art Gallery, Malta; 1998 Goldmark, Uppingham; 2000 Goldmark, Uppingham; 2002 Duncan Campbell Fine Arts 2002; Goldmark, Uppingham; 2004 & 2006 Melitensia Art Gallery, Malta.

Award & Prizes:

1986 Elected a Member of The Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours 1989 Windsor & Newton Award, Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours 1995 Singer-Friedlander, Sunday Times Competition 1997 Elected Associate Member The Royal Society of British Artists 1998 Elected Full Member The Royal Society of British Artists 2001

Public Commissions and Collections:

Giant Mural for Chesterfield; Principal Collections British Rail; New Walk Art Gallery and Museum Leicester; Harris Museum and Art Gallery Preston; National Gallery, Malta; ICI America; British Consulate, Malta; Museo Ralli, Uruguay; Cranfield Institute of Technology; Sellafield Visitors centre; Irontraders.

 

 

George Large

 

Algernon Newton

 

 

 

 

EXHIBITION