PHILIP GRAY NEW PAINTINGS

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Janis Andrews
6 years ago
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As an artist it is vital for me that my visual expressions are easily interpreted as a positive emotion to uplift the mind and soul in a celebration of life, either

1 As an artist it is vital for me that my visual expressions are easily interpreted as a positive emotion to uplift the mind and soul in a celebration of life, either by recalling a distant memory or present experience. PHILIP GRAY PHILIP GRAY NEW PAINTINGS G A L L E R I E S Whitewall Galleries Nationwide

2 The Philip Gray story is a classic romantic tale. In it a young Irish boy quits his school in Cork and goes out into the world to find himself, but eventually discovers that his heart belongs in Ireland. At the age of 16, Philip was a disillusioned teenager who left school and joined the Irish Navy. This event proved to be highly significant for two reasons. Firstly it gave a wayward young man a new sense of purpose and destiny, and secondly, it marked the beginning of an intimate relationship with his future muse, the ocean. Philip trained as a diver and settled into a fascinating and rewarding career. As he became better acquainted with the sea however, he felt increasingly inspired to draw and paint. He set out to produce the occasional painting but was gradually overwhelmed by the desire to work at his easel every day. After 17 years in the Navy and with much encouragement from his wife and family, Philip relinquished his career and set up a studio. Over the past decade he has become one of Ireland s most acclaimed living artists with work in private and public collections all over the world.

DISTANT LIGHT i Original Oil 32 x 32 4475 Either we stay on the shore and accept what we see or venture out and experience the joy of finding new adventures and opportunities.

3 DISTANT LIGHT i Original Oil 32 x Either we stay on the shore and accept what we see or venture out and experience the joy of finding new adventures and opportunities. ORIGINAL PAINTINGS Original Pastels Original Oils Celebrated Irish artist Philip Gray holds a unique position in the international art world. His eloquent and powerful seascapes have captivated a generation of art lovers and won him an impressive array of awards, media coverage and celebrity collectors. As his reputation has grown, his original work has become increasingly sought after, and his status as one of the UK s most collectable artists has now been confirmed. The inspirational nature of Philip s work transcends all boundaries, a fact that was beautifully illustrated when both Bill Clinton and George W Bush chose his work for the walls of the White House.

4 INFINITE WORLD Original Oil 48 x STORMY SHORES Original Oil 47 x (opposite page)

5 celestial skies i Original Pastel 24 x celestial skies iii Original Pastel 32 x (opposite page) celestial skies ii Original Pastel 24 x

Since the beginning of time the sea has held pride of place in our collective

The work of Philip Gray makes a uniquely dramatic addition to this prestigious

Taking the beauty and drama of the elements as his starting point, he provides

6 Since the beginning of time the sea has held pride of place in our collective cultural imagination. The work of Philip Gray makes a uniquely dramatic addition to this prestigious artistic heritage. Taking the beauty and drama of the elements as his starting point, he provides us with the opportunity to escape the chaos of day to day life and appreciate the wonder of the natural world as interpreted by a master of the genre. OCEAN EMINENCE I Original Oil 48 x

7 OCEAN EMINENCE Iii Original Pastel 32 x OCEAN EMINENCE II Original Oil 48 x (opposite page)

8 Philip s studio is a treasure trove of hundreds of pastels, lovingly cared for and meticulously organised. Starting on a new composition, Philip identifies the light source in each scene and begins with white and the more luminous range of bright shades. With broad energetic movements he covers the paper, gradually introducing darker colours until, magically, a scene begins to take shape and eventually solidifies into a distinctive and dramatic seascape. INFINITE SKIES Original Pastel 24 x DISTANT LIGHT I1 Original Pastel 25 x

The slipway that built and launched ships to explore the great wide

9 The slipway that built and launched ships to explore the great wide oceans is now the slipway for me to explore the great ocean of creative expression. Philip s studio is situated in an unusual spot - beneath a slipway in an old dockyard. Coincidentally, it is located just yards from where he set off on his final voyage as a naval officer. When he is not travelling, he spends his days here working on the sketches and paintings that he has produced on location in Ireland and beyond. DISTANT LIGHT III Original Oil 32 x DISTANT LIGHT IV Original Oil 24 x (opposite)

10 STORM WALKERS Original Oil 60 x

In 2008, Philip made a voyage of discovery to the Bahamas in search of a new pallet to

Here Philip created a vibrant series of images featuring the tropical shades of a sea

Then, using his past experience as a naval diver and his unique expertise and

bed to create his initial studies at 60ft under the sea.

three oils on canvas over a series of dives.

11 In 2008, Philip made a voyage of discovery to the Bahamas in search of a new pallet to express the tonal variations at the heart of the world s oceans. Here Philip created a vibrant series of images featuring the tropical shades of a sea and sky bathed in dazzling sunlight. Then, using his past experience as a naval diver and his unique expertise and versatility as an artist, he undertook an extraordinary project and visited the ocean bed to create his initial studies at 60ft under the sea. With scuba and sixty minutes bottom time, using pallet knife and fingers, Philip created three oils on canvas over a series of dives. COASTAL PATH I Original Pastel 6 x COASTAL PATH II Original Pastel 6 x To view the film of this unique project visit TURQUOISE TIDES I Original Pastel 8 x TURQUOISE TIDES II Original Pastel 8 x 6 495

12 BLUE HORIZONS i Original Oil 40 x BLUE HORIZONS ii Original oil 40 x TURQUOISE TIDES III Original Pastel 12 x (opposite page)

13 BLUE HORIZONS III Original Oil 24 x

14 PHILIP GRAY COLLECTABLE EDITIONS SAPPHIRE SEAS III Paper Edition Framed 295 SAPPHIRE SEAS I Paper Edition Framed 180 SAPPHIRE SEAS II Paper Edition Framed 180

Each of Philip s collectable Limited Editions is a unique piece of artwork. In every case an original painting is faithfully reproduced a set number of times on canvas or board.

15 Each of Philip s collectable Limited Editions is a unique piece of artwork. In every case an original painting is faithfully reproduced a set number of times on canvas or board. In some cases the print is also hand embellished under the direction of the artist. Each Limited Edition is then individually approved by the artist, then numbered and personally signed as a mark of its authenticity and status as a genuine collector s item. Time of our life Canvas Edition Framed 595

16 SEE PHILIP GRAY EXTREME PAINTING UNDER WATER AT Special Place I Canvas Edition Framed 425 Special Place II Canvas Edition Framed 425

With every painting I find myself completely. absorbed in my work. I love the challenge. and excitement of starting a new piece,

MARK SPAIN With every painting I find myself completely absorbed in my work. I love the challenge and excitement of starting a new piece, trying to capture the grace, balance and beauty of the female form