Ray Balkwill : Limited Editions

Ray Balkwill is a well known West Country artist whose watercolours, oils and mixed media paintings are much sought after. Born in Exeter in 1948, he graduated from Exeter College of Art, thereafter making a career in advertising as an Art Director. In 1990 demand for his paintings led him to give up his job to become a professional artist.

He is a strong advocate of painting “en plein air” and his main objectives are to try and capture the mood and ‘spirit’ of a place. Living as he does on the coast, it is little wonder that the wide-open spaces of sea, estuary and sky have been the main spring of his art. He has held numerous successful solo exhibitions, as well as showing in group and open exhibitions. These include the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour, Royal West of England Academy and South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts. He also runs painting courses in Essex, Cornwall and from his Studio in Devon.

He is a regular contributor to the Artist Magazine and is also the Author of six books. His work also features in a number of books and magazines including “International Artist” and “Pastel Artist International”. In 2005 APV Films made an art instruction film of him painting on the Exe estuary entitled ‘Painting Estuary Moods’.

His paintings can be found in private collections and galleries all over the country as well as abroad. In 2006 he was elected an Academician in the South West Academy and he is also a member of the St. Ives Society of Artists.