Born in Johannesburg, schooled in Kimberley, and then spent 35 years teaching Science and working as Headmaster at various state and independent schools. Owen has had no formal training but loved to draw from an early age.
Owen says that whilst fly fishing in the Cotswolds on long leave in the ’90’s, the weather turned nasty, so I joined my wife Anne in her watercolour pursuits….and loved it! So started my right brain journey. On taking early retirement in 2000 chose Knysna to settle as amongst other things, it suited my hobbies of fly fishing, woodwork, and painting. Dale Elliott courses followed, Exhibitions at Hunters Village, sales at the Gaol, inspiration from Margaret Bolt and others. Had my first Group exhibition with Lucy Wiles and others here at the Knysna Art Gallery 8 years ago.
I love the beauty of Knysna and the Western Cape – indeed of our whole magnificent countryside. I was given a digital camera as a gift by the pupils of Kearsney College when I took retirement. I use this to try and capture some of the magical scenes God has created for us. I use these as inspiration for my paintings which I hope can bring you some of the joy I experienced in seeing and painting. I started with watercolours in all their delicacy and transparency but more recently have turned to the vibrancy and depth of oils to capture the incredible colours of God’s creation.
My growth as an artist has been greatly assisted by sharing and watching others in action. This was especially true of the workshops we had at the Knysna Art Festival . Artists such as Richard Rennie and Bob McKenzie taught me so much but none more so than Peter Barrett with whom I share weekly sessions learning, laughing, and sometimes painting a good picture.
