Royal Society of Marine Artists Prizes & Awards 2021
/ Society of Wildlife Artists
The Royal Society of Marine Artists and Mall Galleries are delighted to announce the Prizes & Awards from the Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition 2021.
Congratulations to all artists who have been awarded prizes by our generous prize givers.
If you cannot make the exhibition we hope that with videos, audio, images, and statements by the winners to watch, hear, see, and read, you can experience and enjoy their works wherever you are.
The exhibition is also available to Browse & Buy online now.
The Artist Magazine Award
Lucy Clayton
Spidercrab No.9
Lucy will be interviewed for a feature in The Artist magazine.
Inspired by my love of rock pooling and searching for crabs. This piece was created by printing with drawing ink and painting with loose washes of watercolour to represent the delicate tones and textures of the crab's shell.
The Charles Pears Award
Frances Bell RP
Howick
For an outstanding work, in any medium, by a non-member. Presented by the RSMA in memory of Charles Pears, founding member and first President.
I wanted to paint this lonely little folly on the Northumbrian coast, as it sat in the light on the rocks. It is small but seemed to own the view. I love the drama of the north coast too, so the atmosphere was lovely to paint.
The Classic Boat Award
J F Morgan RSMA
A Freshening Wind - Victorian Yachts
The winner will take home a handsome, hand-crafted sculpture by Astins Sailing Sculptures, given for the most atmospheric depiction of a classic boat.
An artist's depiction of the grand old days of yachting for racing and pleasure. A southerly breeze has suddenly freshened and these yachts are racing into the quieter waters of the East Solent under the Lee of the Eastern Isle of Wight, while other yachts are making the most of the wind.
The Kenneth Denton Award
Mark Myers PPRSMA
The "Billy Ruffian" Running in a Blow
For a work on the theme 'The Sea in all its Moods'. Made possible by the generosity of long-standing member Kenneth Denton.
With the wind rising in a hard gale, the Fore- and Main- Topmen of the Bellerophon are at work sending down topgallant yards as the vessel plunges through a heavy sea.
Their ship, known throughout the Royal Navy as the "Billy Ruffian", was a veteran of some of the fiercest sea battles in the long wars against France - from "The Glorious First of June" in 1793, the Battle of the Nile, 1798, to Trafalgar in 1805.
And to crown her illustrious career, in the summer of 1815 the defeated Emperor Napoleon surrendered to Capt. Maitland on board the Bellerophon while she lay at anchor off Basque Roads.
Murray's Commercial Fishing Award: 1st Prize
Henrietta Graham
Twilight Sardine Landing
A £500 prize for works in any medium depicting commercial fishing
Murray's Commercial Fishing Award: 2nd Prize
Alistair Butt RSMA
Between Shell Fishing Trips - Brancaster Staithe
A £100 prize for works in any medium depicting commercial fishing
RSMA Award for the Best Small Painting
Tom Marsh
RX56 and Friends, Hastings, Sussex
For a work in any medium measuring no more than 30 cm / 12 inches along the longest dimension (excluding frame). Made possible by the generosity of a Life Member.
RSMA New Generation Award
Ollie Tuck
Fresh from the Fishmongers
Awarded by the Society, the successful artist will receive £250. Open to all artists aged 35 or under at the time of submission.
Topbond Marine Award
Robert Brindley RSMA
Hazy Light, Fisher Fleet, Kings Lynn
For works depicting marine engineering or construction activities in harbours, estuaries or marine waters within the UK.
I discovered the Fisher Fleet at Kings Lynn by accident some years ago. I was in North Norfolk running a watercolour workshop and researching subject matter for my next painting DVD with Townhouse Films.
I took a wrong turn when leaving Kings Lynn and stumbled on the Fisher Fleet completely by accident. I was so excited by what I found that I spent most of the day sketching and taking over 400 photographs.
I have visited on two other occasions and have done a further six paintings inspired by that first visit.
The discovery of Fisher Fleet will be remembered as one of those very special days that artists occasionally get. The quality of wonderful subject matter, all in one location, together with the lighting and weather conditions was perfect.
Winsor & Newton Oil Prize
Gareth Brown RSMA
Harbour Reflections II
£250 worth of Winsor & Newton art materials for a notable oil painting.
Second in a series of works, inspired by reflections of colourful fishing boats in a Maltese harbour.
Baltic Exchange Award
William Carney ROI
Britannia, Pool of London
For an outstanding work related to the maritime industry, selected by the Society’s President and the Chairman of the Baltic Exchange. Including works related to trade (ports, cargo vessels, etc), shipbuilding, safety at sea / the crew, the RNLI or NCI.
The Baltic is a historic membership organisation at the heart of the international shipping industry, providing services relied upon by shipping markets worldwide. Value £2,000.
I have been awarded the Baltic Exchange Award for the painting ‘Britannia, Pool of London’ at this year’s RSMA Annual Exhibition at Mall Galleries.
Due to the Covid lockdown, the picture was worked from reference sketches. By chance, I saw the Royal Yacht Britannia while walking across Blackfriars Bridge. She was bathed in warm evening sunlight.
A huge Tug was manoeuvring her to dock, maybe for the last time in London before she sailed to the port of Leith in Scotland and became a popular tourist attraction.
In my painting, I included Tower Bridge in the background to indicate to the viewer where she was moored on the Thames, City of London.
My method of painting is to simply remove and leave out unnecessary detail, similar to the Impressionist movement.
This picture turned out very well for me and I am pleased it will be on display alongside many more excellent marine paintings.