Ken Gillam working in watercolour and acrylic, principally marine subjects
but also the occasional landscape.
Born in Portsmouth UK in 1944, after completing his education, in which art
did not feature a great deal, he entered the banking profession. During this
time he became an accomplished dinghy sailor representing the bank for whom
he worked. He went on to become both the National and Inland Champion,
experiences that would later stand him in good stead for his favourite
artistic subject. Leaving banking after nearly 30 years, he then spent some
time working in the charitable sector, followed by a period as school
administrator.
Following his "retirement" from the competitive sailing scene eight years
ago, he decided to fill his time by learning to paint, having done nothing
since school. Self taught, and unencumbered by the strictures of a formal
art training, he is driven by his love of the sea, which is reflected in
his work. This has resulted in over a hundred paintings and commissions
both in the UK and America.
He has participated in a number of group exhibitions with his first one man
show during 2004. A further one man show is scheduled for the summer of
2005. Having recently given up full time work, he is hoping to be able to
spend more of his time painting. Working mostly in watercolour and also in
acrylic, he favours maritime and coastal scenes, but also produces the
occasional landscape. He says that watercolour is a challenging medium, but
when it all comes together, can produce a seascape in which you can almost
taste the salt air.
