Island artists Malcolm Winter, Chris Gillies and Tony Westmore have joined forces to present ‘This Painted Isle’ at Quay Arts Rope Store Gallery from Saturday 6th September – Saturday 27th September.
All three artists have works which both contrast with and complement each other. As the title of the exhibition suggests the works, in the main, depict Isle of Wight scenes and landscapes as well as the coast and maritime subjects.
Born in London Malcolm Winter (A G A v A) is a talented artist specialising in marine and aviation subjects and coastal scenes .He has been painting for as long as he can remember and credits his father for inspiring him. He was an apprentice signwriter for a brewery but as he had always wanted to be a soldier he joined the 1st Parachute Battalion and saw twelve years service around the World.
Throughout his working life he maintained his interest in painting however and often worked on paintings commissioned by international companies such as Mobil Oil.
Just after the Millennium he moved to the Isle of Wight with his wife Sharon and set up a studio in St. Helens, recently very much enlarged and open for the Open Studios event, where he produces all his artwork.
Chris Gillies specialises in oil paintings onto canvas or panel primarily of local marine subjects. Having spent his working career as an engineer he made the move to become a full time artist in 2008.
Being a keen sailor, and having spent a lifetime being on, in or near the sea has given him an understanding of the interaction between water and boats and a number of his works are maritime subjects.
He recently joined with Malcolm Winter and two other artists for an exhibition at Regatta House, Cowes entitled ‘Coast’ and took part in the Isle of Wight Open Studios event in July.
Cowes resident Tony Westmore has been drawing and painting since a child, and has lived all his life at Cowes. His subjects include country, rural, harbours, and maritime scenes. Much of his work is painted or sketched on location with the Island providing a rich source of subjects for his work in water colour, acrylic or oils
Ships and Maritime Scenes are a speciality as he has always had an interest in shipping using the Solent and can view ships approaching Southampton from his waterside studio. He likes to depict atmospheric scenes of old shipping, trying to catch the romance of a bygone era but is equally at home with today’s vessels.
The exhibition will run for three weeks and will be open during usual Quay Arts opening times.
Photographed L-R: Tony Westmore, Chris Gillies, Malcolm Winter.
Photograph thanks to Suzanne Whitewood
