BIOGRAPHY:
[B.1968, Derby] A pivotal moment in the young Paul Kenton’s life was a move from his birthplace in Derby to the West Country when he was eight years old. As a teenager he learnt to surf on the wild beaches of North Devon. Now settled in Ilfracombe with his Brazilian partner, Alexandra and two young daughters, Paul still surfs when he’s not in the studio or enjoying the hectic pandemonium of family life. Paul showed an interest in painting from an early age; while others wanted to be doctors or pilots he clearly remembers telling a friend that he wanted to be an artist. This was cemented when, at the tender age of twelve, he won a national colouring competition - winning a prized set
of paints. He continued to draw and paint all through school becoming proficient in watercolour but was disappointed not to be awarded a place at art college due to his English grades. In 1995, supported by a grant from the Prince’s Youth Business Trust, he took the plunge and started to paint full-time and began exhibiting. Working in acrylic and oils he took inspiration from his worldwide travels; the cityscapes, cafes, harbours, bridges and seascapes. Paul’s style has evolved into a free- flowing fusion of various media, capturing the essence of the location, creating an atmosphere with free shapes, dripped lines and colour.
This year we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog, everyone’s favourite famous gaming icon who remains as relevant today as he was 25 years ago! When asked to be part of this collaborative project to celebrate the blue speedster’s 25th anniversary, ideas were instantly flowing. How was I going to capture the essence of Sonic and his character through my style of art? Pen in hand, I was compelled to start sketching and note-taking straight away. To me, the INSIGHT & INSPIRATION:
significance of associating both the classic pixilated Sonic and the modern Sonic of today was paramount. I aimed to portray the development of the character over the years and to emphasise how the iconic demeanour has stayed renowned. I soon found that my dripped painterly style lends itself to the speed and rapid movement that his character exudes. Splashes of pigment, fluid lines and bold colour add to the energy within the composition and, I hope, do justice to the legend that is Sonic!
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