Darren Lewis
Original Artwork in Oils and Mixed Media
My Margate
10th November 2017
My Margate – 136cm x 136cm oil on canvas – in progress in the studio
My Margate – I wanted to capture an image that just said Margate. Whether it is his margate or my margate, it doesnt really matter. Its his Margate really, he sacrificed himdelf for this seaside town all those years ago. Margate Surboat Memorial, also known as the Margate Memorial, the Lifeboat Memorial and the Surfboat Friend to All Nations memorial. The Sailor depicted is a memorial to the nine out of a crew of 13 who died in a failed rescue attempt by the boat Friend to all Nations in Margate in 1897. On the morning of 2 December 1897, thirteen men set out in the surfboat towards the struggling Persian Empire. However the Friend was hit by two waves in quick succession and capsized just off the Nayland Rock. Just four men made it to shore, of whom the medic Charles Troughton died on reaching land. The remaining nine were all beaten to a pulp on the rocks, except for Joseph Epps who was found, barely alive, underneath the capsized boat. His relatives still live in Margate which truly echoes Margate blood in his veins. The painting shows history with modernity. Old events with new events. The Margate light. I wanted to capture an image that said it all, predominantly shouting Margate loud and proud. This is my effort so far – inprogress
New Series of Work
10th November 2017
I have been painting Margate Harbour for the past two to three years and the time has come to move in a new direction. I won’t refuse painting Margate Harbour again as the colours in the sky always give me inspiration to paint the harbour view. I have embarked on a new series of paintings featuring Dreamland Pleasure Park in Margate. Dreamland has many fond memories for most of us that visited in our childhood and I want to try and capture the fun experience again with the new retro Dreamland becoming an ever increasing popular destination.
Here is one of my first paintings of Dreamland.
In and Out the Sea Exhibition 22nd September – 3rd October 2017
14th September 2017
This is Darren’s and Ross’s second joint exhibition at the Pie Factory Gallery following their successful exhibition titled ‘Sand, Sea and Light’ in September 2016. The exhibition gained interest by BBC reporter, Robin Gibson, and was featured on BBC South East News Today on Monday 26th September 2016.
This new exhibition, In and Out the Sea brings together the two artists using the same subject matter from very different approaches, perspectives and disciplines. Darren is OUT of the Sea using traditional methods in oil paint to capture the changing light, mood, colour and atmosphere of the surrounding coastlines of Thanet. Having lived by the sea for 45 years visual coastlines are ingrained in his make-up.
This is also true of Ross Andrews. Ross prefers to be immersed IN the Sea, choosing an unusual photography approach of similar subject matter to Darren. Ross is an artist that uses the natural environment as his canvas. He draws monumental configurations in the sand and uses ‘extreme’ photography to push himself physically in capturing the life and power of the sea. Ross immerses himself in the coast. His wealth of knowledge, science and years of experience of local coastal surroundings provides a sound basis for his creative endeavours. In and Out the Sea displays regularly the same chosen locations from very different perspectives.
Jack Maconnachie
19th April 2017
It was a great distraction from the usual seascapes I embroil myself in to work on a commissioned painting. Jack Maconnachie was a 9 month old British Bulldog of huge physical stature weighing almost 9 stone. The canvas I chose was a 80cm x 80cm square format and wanted Jack to fill most of the canvas. I had the fortune of meeting Jack in person so it was helpful in capturing his character in the painting.
Colour Coast Exhibition at New Kent Art Gallery
16th March 2017
Colour Coast – works by Darren Lewis
4 – 8th April 2017
Colour Coast is Darren Lewis’ second solo exhibition at the New Kent Art Gallery.
Darren has chosen a selection of his prints and original oil paintings which demonstrate a strong use of colour, creating vibrant and vivid colour formations of local coastlines.
Darren has been preoccupied with Margate Harbour and it’s changing light for the past 18 months but he has also managed to capture other locations in full colour glory.
From romantic pinks, blistering blues, luminous oranges, joyful yellows, raging reds and calming purples, the skies of Thanet have them all.
Margate Red – Huge Painting in Progress, March 2017
6th March 2017
I am currently working on a huge painting ‘Margate Red’ at the moment – 200cm x 140cm. Sometimes I really enjoy the physical challenge of working big.
Margate Mercury – Spring Issue 2017
6th March 2017
So chuffed to be on the front cover of Margate Mercury – Spring Issue 2017. Margate is a great place to be right now for an artist and its only going to get better.
Editors Choice – Leisure Painter March Issue 2017
6th March 2017
Always great to feature in an International Painting Magazine so was thrilled to see my painting of my pet dog, Cody, grabbing all the attention in Leisure Painter March 2017 issue.
Kent Life Landscape Painter of the Year 2017
13th January 2017
I have been shortlisted for the Kent-Life Landscape Painter of the Year 2017. I have been asked to bring this painting by the judging panel selected for Lovelys art gallery in Cliftonville in readiness for a preview launch evening on 3rd March 2017, when the winner will be announced on the evening. This painting will be displayed in the gallery for the next two weeks, along with fellow entrants of the competition.
**** 3 MARCH 2017 ***** 6.30pm to 8pm. Drinks and canapés will be served at Lovelys and Kent Life photographer and member of the judging panel, Manu Palomeque, will be on hand to take pictures for a Social Scene page in Kent Life Magazine.
Feature on BBC South East News 26th September 2016
16th December 2016
Here is the BBC South East News feature of my exhibition with Ross Andrews ‘Sand, Sea and Light’ held at the Pie Factory Gallery in Margate.
Darren Lewis Paintings – Prints Available
28th November 2016
I now have Limited Edition Prints available of selected paintings available on my website.
Prints are limited to 50 and are available framed or unframed.
Prints are imaged using archival pigment inks for long life. Giclee fine art printing offers one of the highest degree of accuracy and richness of colour available in any of the reproduction techniques. The Visual quality of the print is extremely high with seeming continuous tone prints without dots, lines or barring. Using the latest imaging equipment and profiling technology with archival quality pigmented inks onto Arches Aquarelle Rag paper.
This genuine 100% rag, world famous watercolour paper, possesses the unique structure, surface texture and warm white tone that demanding artists expect from a traditional Fine Art paper. This paper complies with the highest archival standards and is extremely age resistant. The inks are UV stable and offer a lifespan of 100+ years. Printing at 1200 dpi using a 12 colour LUCIA archival pigment ink system gives you superb colour accuracy, excellent colour graduation, expression and broadest colour gamut in its class.
These prints are 52.5cm x 42.5cm framed in white with white mount. £70.00 framed £45.00 unframed
These square formatted prints measure 50cm x 50cm framed in white with white mount. £80.00 framed £50.00 unframed
Sand, Sea and Light at Pie Factory, Margate September 23rd – 28th 2016
5th October 2016
Sand, Sea and Light Exhibition 2016 joint show featuring myself and Ross Andrews was a huge success. Thank you to all that attended and engaged with the exhibition. The highlight had to be BBC South East News coming down to the gallery on Monday 26th September and doing a feature on the exhibition and interviewing me and Ross Andrews which went out on air at 6:30 pm that evening. I hopefully may be able to get a copy that I will show on social media in the future. It was great to meet with the public all week discussing my paintings with lots of overwhelming comments and positive feedback.
This was a joint exhibition with Ross Andrews who is also a local resident of Margate and a very talented artist who immerses himself in the natural surroundings of Thanet’s coastlines combining extreme photography with drawings in the sand.
Ross is an artist that uses the natural environment as his canvas. He draws monumental configurations in the sand and uses drones to photograph and document his resulting work. Ross works with but often against the natural elements and as a result makes his art ephemeral. Most of Ross’ work is on a freestyle basis, often with no idea of planning but a visualization that feels right at the time in location. As he is unable to see what he is drawing, due to the scale and close proximity, he hopes that what he has visualised appears across the very large canvas he is using. The race against the tide and physical demands needed creates exhilaration and excitement into each piece. Whilst the overhead shot of the final piece can look impressive Ross is aware of the environment and what is going on around him.
This is also seen in his ‘extreme’ photography; where he pushes himself physically to capture the life and power of the sea. He encapsulates the waves in full force and offers a new refreshing view, unseen by many, of his chosen coastlines.
Sand Sea and Light Exhibition 2016
13th September 2016
Sand, Sea and Light 2016
An exhibition by Darren Lewis and Ross Andrews at Pie Factory Margate Gallery, 5 Broad Street, Margate, Kent CT9 1EW
Sand, Sea and Light derives from two artists using the same subject matter from a very different approach, perspective and discipline. Darren is a traditional oil painter using traditional methods to capture the changing light, mood and atmosphere of the surrounding coastlines of Thanet. Having lived by the sea for 44 years visual coastlines are ingrained in his make-up.
This can also be said of Ross Andrews. Ross chooses a different perspective of the same subject. Ross is an artist that uses the natural environment as his canvas. He draws monumental configurations in the sand and uses ‘extreme’ photography to push himself physically in capturing the life and power of the sea. Ross immerses himself in the coast. His wealth of knowledge, science and years of experience of local coastal surroundings provides a sound basis for his creative endeavours.
Darren Lewis
Essentially, Darren Lewis is a painter from Margate and a painter of Margate. Darren exhibits traditional oil paintings capturing the varied light and atmosphere of Margate Harbour and the surrounding coastlines. Darren uses strong colour to emphasise the beauty of his chosen locations of the coast. Living in Margate, he paints the things he sees around him, the things he knows well and is comfortable with. Darren responds to nearby coastlines of Thanet, with a focus on the vistas of sand, sea and sky of chosen locations. Darren’s work sits traditionally in seascapes, expressing with a command of colour, the qualities of light and form of his chosen locations. Locality remains critical in his approach to all his work expressing his particular perception of his instant surroundings.
Ross Andrews
Ross is an artist that uses the natural environment as his canvas. He draws monumental configurations in the sand and uses drones to photograph and document his resulting work. Ross works with but often against the natural elements and as a result makes his art ephemeral. Most of Ross’ work is on a freestyle basis, often with no idea of planning but a visualization that feels right at the time in location. As he is unable to see what he is drawing, due to the scale and close proximity, he hopes that what he has visualised appears across the very large canvas he is using. The race against the tide and physical demands needed creates exhilaration and excitement into each piece. Whilst the overhead shot of the final piece can look impressive Ross is aware of the environment and what is going on around him.
This is also seen in his ‘extreme’ photography; where he pushes himself physically to capture the life and power of the sea. He encapsulates the waves in full force and offers a new refreshing view, unseen by many, of his chosen coastlines.
Margate Harbour Steps – Completed
18th July 2016
Margate Harbour Steps – 210cm x 90cm Oil on Canvas
I have finally………………….I think, finished this huge painting of Margate Harbour Steps. Originally the painting had no people in it which would have been a bit strange given the climate of the painting. Margate steps is always bustling in fine weather. I started adding people and then friends and family asked if they could be in the painting. I was happy to oblige and constructed the people bit by bit and even added myself and my partner twice. You can see me right at the front in the black hoodie holding my friends 4 year old daughter. I also appear in the far distance remembering a time last year my partner and I shared a bottle of wine on a hot summers day.
This painting will be for sale at my forthcoming exhibition at the Pie Factory, Margate 22nd – 28th September 2016
Our Acquainted Coastlines – Solo Exhibition at New Kent Art Gallery, Broadstairs 19th – 24th July 2016
18th July 2016
‘Our Acquainted Coastlines’
19th – 24th July 2016
49a Albion St, Broadstairs CT10 1NE
This exhibition brings together a collection of my most recent paintings dedicated to well-known local coastlines of Thanet. Places I have known most of my life, recording and observing scenes in chosen familiar locations.
I am essentially a painter from Margate, and a painter of Margate. Over recent years my main focus has been to capture the varied light, atmosphere and climate of Thanet’s coastlines but more recently, a further resolution on depicting Margate Harbour and its surrounding areas has become a growing obsession. I want my paintings to reflect the beauty and serenity of Margate and its surrounding coastlines. I want to capture a specific atmosphere of time and place, created by observation and memory in depicting the varied light and shadow surrounding our acquainted coastlines.
Colour is important in my work, relating subtle and intense colour relationships to convey a sense of place. Location is fundamental to my working practice. It’s the coastlines I’m interested in, where sky meets sea and sea meets sand.
As a painter predominately of coastlines, I am drawn to the light and colour of the sky, the cloud formations, the shimmer of light on water, the mood and sense of place. Margate Harbour for the moment gives sufficient need to convey my senses in purely visual terms using paint. I paint the things I see around me, the things I know and feel comfortable with.
Margate Harbour Arm and Steps
18th February 2016
Margate Harbour Arm and Steps – 21ocm x 100cm oil on canvas – in progress
This is a start of a new painting that I want to incorporate the full length of Margate Harbour Arm and the steps. I used the old fashioned grid method to scale up the drawing in what is a huge canvas. (more…)
Painting Big
18th February 2016
Welcome to Margate IV – 170cm x 110cm Oil on Canvas – in progress
Painting Big
I enjoy painting big, but I also like to mix it up by having a couple of small paintings on the go at the same time. Painting big allows you to be less concerned with detail and being ‘fiddly’. (more…)
Painting Margate
4th February 2016
Margate Harbour – Blue Cloud 80cm x 80cm Oil on Canvas 2016
For the next year I have dedicated myself to painting Margate, particularly Margate Harbour. The light is constantly changing and I want to attempt to show the harbour in all conditions and atmospheres. (more…)
Welcome to Margate and welcome to my new blog
4th February 2016
Welcome to Margate 130cm x 90cm Oil on Canvas 2015
Welcome to Margate and welcome to my new blog
Welcome to my new website – As with all things new, I have a plan and my plan is that I would like to create a new blog each week to show some of my paintings in progress and discuss my thoughts on painting as they arise when making them. (more…)