Ian Walton - Welsh Landscape & Seascape Artist
early evening surf Rhoscolyn anglesey
Ian was born in 1963 and had started to teach himself to paint in oils by the time he was 13. His paintings of Wales are greatly admired and his reputation as one of Wales's leading seascape and landscape artists has been growing for some years now.
Ian's work is in private collections worldwide and owners include Sir Richard Branson and HM King Charles.
The knowledge of his subjects stems from being a passionate mountaineer ,glider pilot, and sailor.
He is inspired by the power of nature, in particular, the sky, mountains, and the sea. He works with a limited palette constantly striving to capture the drama of strong light and shade. Wales has some of the most beautiful mountains and stunning coastline and so there is a never ending source of inspiration. From the rugged mountains of Snowdonia to the stunning beaches and secluded coves of Anglesey and the Lleyn peninsula.
Influences: JMW Turner, Winslow Homer, Frederick Judd Waugh and William Heaton Cooper, to name but a few.
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Artist’s statement
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For as long as I can remember I’ve been drawn to the sea the sky and mountains. I think it’s the solitude, and also in a big way the vastness of our planet and how small we are as individual creatures. I stand in awe at the power of nature. My never-ending goal is to try in some small way to portray or capture this.
After over 45 years I’m still learning, and I still want to experiment with images. Unlike many artists, I don’t want to stick with a tried and tested style or a formula that sells. It's nice when someone says "Is this one of yours ?".
I believe artists grow if they experiment and keep pushing the barriers, and create at their best when they have a connection with the subject.
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I try to paint every day, worried that I might not still be able to do it tomorrow! In recent years my work has become looser and I try to avoid labouring over small areas. Capturing strong light and shade is very important to me. I love to work on bigger canvases. It gives me a greater sense of still being there!
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Oriel Mon Solo Exhibition in the Main Gallery 2015
Winner of North Wales Open 2014
Exhibitions: and ‘Litterarte’ (national anti-litter campaign)
National Gallery of Wales Cardiff September 2013
Tate Modern London
Tate Liverpool
Leeds city Art Gallery
National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh
Mall galleries London 2011, 1988
The Albany Gallery Cardiff 2012
The Williamson Gallery Birkenhead 2012
NWOS 2013 Oriel Ynys Mon Llangefni
The Halcyon Galleries (Washington Green) Birmingham 1990
Plas Glyn Y Weddw, Llanbedrog 2013
Helfa Gelf 2012-13 Oriel Theatr Clwyd
Gorstella Gallery Chester 2012 2013
The Harbour Gallery Conwy 2012
The Willow gallery Oswestry 2011 , 2012
The Williamson Gallery Birkenhead 2003
The Black Sheep Gallery Chester solo 2000
Theatr Clwyd Open North Wales 1989, 19
Put Some Colour in your life UK
Ian Walton presenter of Colour in your life UK.
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Episode SE01UK - Ian Walton: Landscape Painting.
Colour In Your Life is an Art series from Australia created by Graeme Stevenson OAM.
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The concept is to record and preserve some of the most talented artists on earth, for us, and countless future generations.
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Series sponsored by Hobbycraft.
Ian paints on location all over Wales from the peaks of Snowdonia to the magnificent rugged coastline including Anglesey and the Llyn Peninsular. His work covers the most popular areas to the more remote regions of Wales. As a climber, glider pilot and sailor his unusual vantage points give a unique quality to his work.
Using his self taught skills honed over more than 40 years, Ian creates the most engaging and dynamic paintings of Wales.
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Ian is used to visiting locations on request to capture a true Plein Air interpretation of a scene.