About the Artist
Ben started painting as a young boy in Canada, where his parents had emigrated from England in the late fifties. Returning to England in the sixties he developed his natural talent at Bishop Wordsworth’s Grammar School, receiving tuition from the well-known artist and teacher, Richard Cusden, finally winning the first senior art prize. He went on to study at Salisbury College of Fine Art. Although afterwards he became a designer in the petrochemical industry he still carried on painting, exhibiting and selling watercolour and pastel works in Berkshire, Hampshire and Wiltshire. He returned to Canada for a few years where he enjoyed portraying the landscapes of western Alberta, exhibiting in Edmonton and Calgary; but his main inspiration has been the incomparable scenery of the North Pennines where he has lived since 2001. Working in chalk pastel, watercolour and oil, he prefers a traditional approach to painting, mainly because he loves the breath-taking beauty of the English countryside and enjoys re-creating it as faithfully as possible. He also paints many imaginative pictures, some of which will be added to this site shortly. If you are interested in commissioning a particular landscape, a copy of another picture, or any kind of painting he would be pleased to discuss this with you. Please e-mail the webmaster for more information. knibbs@members.v21.co.uk
