Eric Ward was born in 1945 in St Ives, Cornwall, where he has lived for most of his life. After leaving school, he worked as a fisherman until 1985 when he became St Ives Harbour Master. In 1964 he had joined the RNLI as a St Ives Lifeboatman, was promoted to Coxswain in 1989 and retired after 34 years of service in 2000.
Eric had always been interested in art and started
painting in 1987 at the legendary St Ives School. Since
then his work has developed and been shown widely
with him quoting John Anthony Park and
Ken Howard as two of many influences.
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| Sailing Gig at St Ives |
in the making and when broadcast was acclaimed by The Times.
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| Boats St Ives Harbour |
In 2003 Halsgrove Publishing produced
a large-format 144 page book including over 100 of his paintings in full colour called Eric Ward’s
St. Ives: From His Studio and Beyond.
a large-format 144 page book including over 100 of his paintings in full colour called Eric Ward’s
St. Ives: From His Studio and Beyond.
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| Eic Ward's St Ives |
Today Eric is regarded as a prominent member of the St Ives art scene and his work is fast becoming more and more sought after. I am at Eric's St Ives studio for a long overdue chat and catch up. The aroma of freshly painted oils fills the air and what an amazing and beautiful view. The full sweep of a golden Porthmeor Beach curves round to St Nicholas's Chapel on The Island - priceless.
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| View from Eric Ward's studio |
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| Eric Ward at Mousehole |
Eric is busy on a commission of ten small oils for a local gallery and has been out painting all week. The demand for work is growing and Eric has the aura of a man at one with his world, relaxed and confident. And why not? having lived and breathed St Ives for so many years there can be no artist better placed to capture the magic and spirit of all that the town has come to represent.
Later I'm sitting eating lunch overlooking Zennor and The Atlantic when a car pulls alongside. It's Eric and his Good Lady off to Cape Cornwall painting "I hope we're not interrupting" they say and with that are on their way!
Eric Ward's paintings are available at www.orangehat.co.uk please enquire for full details.
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| Eric Ward Sketch |
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| Lunch overlooking the Atlantic |
Eric Ward's paintings are available at www.orangehat.co.uk please enquire for full details.
Images © Eric Ward 2011
Photos © orangehat 2011
