by Edwina Baines edwina@theblackmorevale.co.uk
ART
Inside Kim Pragnell’s studio in Iwerne Minster. image: Edwina Baines
In the Studio with Kim Pragnell Why are so many of us lured to the beauty and power of the ocean? As inhabitants of a small island, we are perhaps more connected to the sea than others. The soothing ebb and flow of the waves mimics our breath, and yet that same power can also evoke dread and fear. You can almost see, hear and smell the ocean when you see Kim Pragnell’s seascapes: “To be able to both understand and appreciate the majesty of the sea, to recreate the energy and excitement, and to play with the light, colour and texture is something every artist should experience,” he says. There is a strong family tradition of painting in Kim’s family: a non-confirmed rumour relates him to the French painter Pierre Bonnard, who was a founding member of the PostImpressionist group of avantgarde painters called ‘Les Nabis.’ However, he says his mother “spun some interesting yarns!” He has been a painter for over 40 years; his unique style, close to the Romantic traditions of British maritime art, has ensured a great following of collectors. He communicates through the use of line and tone, those essential elements that make being an
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artist a delight and privilege and large unsold painting at the end with a firm Ruskin-type belief of an exhibition and a lady was that drawing is the cornerstone studying it closely. She told me of art, the ability “...a farmer’s son it lacked focus to observe, and needed some living miles away seagulls rising investigate and from the sea, at the above the waves. draw has been the foundation of age of 14 Kim was I borrowed some all his work. paints and put in signed up for 12 the seagulls and years in the Royal It started with the same lady ten shillings. purchased the Navy” Kim’s art painting! I have experience has been largely learnt from that experience.” influenced by the work of the late 19th, early 20th century painters A farmer’s son at sea such as Montague Dawson, Incongruously, as a farmer’s son Stanhope Forbes and also the St and living miles away from the Ives School. The Victorian artists, sea, at the age of 14 Kim was Ruskin and Holman Hunt, were signed up for 12 years in the also influential. In fact, he started Royal Navy. Later on, he served painting at the age of five; at the on seagoing tugs, cable ships age of ten his first client was the and in traditional boatyards. Dame of Sark who paid him ten He later pursued a career as a shillings, which at the time was Theatre Designer: his time as one tenth of his father’s income! a scene painter influenced his “I’m learning all the time. For use of colour and light. It also example, I had come to collect a provided an authority and Always free - subscribe here
