Kenneth Denton, 1932-present
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Kenneth Denton was born on 20th August. 1932, in Chatham, Kent, England. His mother was the daughter of a Master Painter, while his father had a military background. The family lived in nearby Rochester, but during the 2nd World War, Kenneth was evacuated to the country. During this period at school in Barham, Denton's attraction to painting first began. In 1944 Denton won a scholarship to Rochester School of Art, (later The Medway College of Art) where he was educated in general painting. It was here that he was awarded what was to be the first of the much recognition of his achievements in the Arts: the Fairhain Memorial Prize.
On leaving college, he became apprenticed to a Master Painter and Gilder, and once again attended the Medway College of Art during his apprenticeship, gaining a First-Class Distinction in his studies.
During National Service in the British Army, Denton kept up his passion with the arts, completing a number of commissions and utilising his skills in such projects as the decoration of the Battalion Church.
On the completion of his National Service in 1954, Kenneth Denton set up in business as a Decorative Artist. During this period he also furthered his education in design, gaining Fellowship of the British Institute of Interior Designers, and The Chartered Society of Designers. He did not neglect his true passion of oil painting, his work was to be seen in exhibitions frequently, including world renowned Bond Street, London.
In 1960, Denton’s expertise in the interior design and decorative arts, led to time first of several teaching posts, at Maidstone College of Art. He was subsequently to teach at his old College as well as the Royal School of Military Engineering; eventually being appointed Examiner to the City and Guilds Institute of London.
Whilst this was a very busy period in Kenneth’s life, he had started a family after his marriage to Margaret Nesbitt, in 1956; it also saw the continued development of his skill with the brush. He begun to devote all his spare time to painting, and found his technique was developing and maturing constantly. Kenneth Denton paintings became sought after: Corporations and Statesman alike began to commission him to paint. In 1969, encouraged by his increasing success as a painter, he took the decision to concentrate fully on painting and turned professional.
There can be no doubt that this decision by Denton has benefited all of those who patronise the arts, be it collectors or admirers. Kenneth Denton has become one of the leading artists that Great Britain has produced this century.
Kenneth Denton has been recognised with such accolades as the highly selective and sought after membership of The Royal Society Of Marine Artists as well as Fellowship Of The Royal Society Of Arts And International Society Marine Painters.
He has been awarded prizes including the Hunting Group Award for best painting in the exhibition as voted by the visitors. Denton has appeared on Television, his work has been subject to critical acclaim and examination by scholars, on programmes such as British Broadcasting Corporations "Open University". He has become the subject of articles in magazines and is listed in many books, including "Who's Who and "Debretts".
To all those who have the pleasure of a painting by Denton on their wall, whether in the boardroom or home, there is without doubt, a satisfaction in being able to participate in the career of an artist who, will surely be remembered as one of the outstanding painters of his time.
An artist who has inspired others to write of him:
“A painter of superb ability. His lyrical handling of pastoral scenes and marine subjects is in a class of its own with generous emphasis on sky design, and mature, rich and sonorous colour.”
“When one sees examples of Kenneth Denton ‘s Landscapes, one wonders why so much attention is given to the Victorian Artists at the expense of latter-day painters.”
“Kenneth Denton is clearly an artist formidable talent and superb craftsmanship.”
Kenneth Denton now lives in an old farmhouse in Norfolk, amidst the countryside that is brought to life in his paintings. It is here in his studio that he explores and develops, the ideas that begin on his frequent trips throughout Europe and North America.
Member of International Society Of Marine Painters
Member of East Anglia Group Of Marine Artists
Fellow of Royal Society Of Arts
Fellow of British Institute Of Interior Design
Fellow of The Chartered Society Of Designers
Winner of Hunting Group Art Award
Venues in London, Amsterdam, Stutgart, Wimbledon, Thames Ditton, York, Cheltenham, Norwich, Croydon, Rochester, Frinton, Chatham, Eastbourne, Tunbridge Wells, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Seattle, Palm Springs, Chicago, Vancouver B.C., Michigan, Harrogate, Newbury Spring Festival
One of only two artists from Great Britain chosen to participate in celebration of 300th anniversary of the worlds oldest yacht club - The Royal Netherlands Yacht Club
British Vice Consul to Washington D.C. Sir Anthony Jackson and Lady Jackson
Sir Kenneth Robson
The Honourable Godrey St Clair Watson Esq
USA Apolo XII Astronaut Pete Conrad
other Sports and Entertainment Figures, Diplomats and Statesmen
Littlehampton Museum, Sussex, England
Laren Museum, Amsterdam, Holland
National Maritime Museum, Mystic Seaport, Connecticut, U.S.A.
Trustee Savings Bank Plc
The Hollywood Club of Los Angeles
Grants of St James
Importers Ltd
British Sislecraft
Nuffield Hospitals
Blue Circle
Ocean Containers
Corps of the Royal Engineers
Medway Ports Authority
Nicholson, Chamberlain, Coils Group
Gasgoine-Pees Ltd, Edward Erdman Ltd
The Royal Netherlands Yacht Club
The Royal Aeronautical Club, London
Paintings used to open and conclude the "Bygone series" Anglia Television, England, shown throughout the 1980’s
Paintings used in historical discussions on Monet, "Open University" British Broadcasting Authority
Various Radio and Television interviews throughout his career
"Who's Who in the Commonwealth" I.B.C. (1976)
"Men of Achievement" I.B.C. (1977)
"Distinguished People of Today" Debretts (1989)
"People Today" (1991)
"Directory of Sea Painters"
"Dictionary of Artists Signatures"
"20th Century Marine Painting" Brook-Hart
"100 Years of Traditional British Painting" David & Charles
"British Painters of the Coast and Sea" Charles Hemming
"Dictionary of International Biography" I.B.C.
"Painters and Sculptures of the 20th Century"
Antique Collectors Club
"A Celebration of Marine Art, 50 years of the Royal Society of Marine Artists"
La Review Moderne
Yachting World
Yachting Monthly
Antiques
Shell Magazine
Arts Review
Country Life
Kent Life
Sussex Life
East Anglian Lifestyle
Essex Countryside Magazine
Sharman Newspapers
Eastern Daily Press
King’s Lynn News and Advertiser
The Norfolk Journal
The Field
Guild Prints
Royles
Medici Society
Witley Press
Alan & Bertram Ltd
Kady-Kards Ltd
Wood & Richardson Ltd.
Gordan Fraser
Elgin Court
Rosentiels
Acorn Fine Art
John Arnold Publishing
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