Shane Couch ASMA
The sea has always held Shane's fascination, from the stories of the naval experiences of his elders, to growing up in the historic port of Liverpool. While working as an aeronautical engineer, he pursued his art. Without any formal training Shane Couch began showing on the Isle of Wight in 1992. Within two years he established himself as a full-time professional artist.
Full of exacting detail, he expands beyond mere draftsmanship to impart creative, fluid visions of the sea and superb compositional arrangements. His theory is that the yachts and ships must be painted as they were built, in layers from the keel up. Over the years he has refined his craft - in both senses of the word. He has often referred to his method as 'Abstract Realism' due to the abstract application of each brush stroke that, as you step back, becomes the super real living image before your eyes.
There are 2 strings to Shane's talent. The sea captures his heart with its colour, shape and form. He captures the majestic rollers and the delicate foam bubbles in equal detail and connection. Shane once said to me that he knows when one of his wave pieces is finished as it seems to continue to move and and break on the rocks or shore of the scene.
The wave is held in that moment of curl and the spume forever hovers in the air but the eyes still think its moving.
**Shane welcomes commissions and we are able to take you through the designing process and get a quote for your perfect piece. : )
His passion for the sea is only matched and sometimes surpassed by his love of the J Class, scenes of sailing times gone by and reconstructing key moves of famous races. These scenes are the 2nd string to Shane's bow. The back grounds of his very large paintings are recognisable as the ports and coastlines these races, battles and 'antique shipping scenes' would have happened off shore of. If you get a chance to see his work in its full glory always take it. The scenes, Crew on deck - from racing colours to their allotted jobs and positioning on board, and the angle of lean of a hull along with the set of the sails are all researched and recreated before being committed to canvas.
He has recently had a particularly terrific body of work well received in the USA which has over time lead to the recognition he has deserved for many years.
His work is sought the world over.
Shane is considered to be among the best of today’s marine artists, with outstanding market potential.
He is the Official Artist for the International Schooner Association and also exhibits with the much revered Gallery Rountree Tryon (London and Petworth).
His original paintings are in important private and corporate collections including the permanent collection of the Minnesota Maritime Museum.
Shane had a selection of his paintings put into print in a wonderful collection of 4 books which make up "The Holy Grail of Yachting: The Art of the Americas Cup" by Alan Granby and Janice Hyland; envisioned and sponsored by Bill Koch. Shane feels it's a very humbling experience to have his work included in helping to tell the story of this historic contest which is his passion.
Please contact us to let us know to alert you to Shane's new works as and when we receive them later this year. Commissions are available to book but there will be a waiting time so please contact us early if you need a piece for a particular date. Please contact the Gallery to discuss and arrange. See 'contact' tab for all contact details.
