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Neil Hipkiss AGAvA Aviation Artist - Automotive Artist EXHIBITIONS Aviation Paintings of the Year Exhibition Years 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2011 AWARDS Highly Commended for `Aviation Painting of the Year Award’ 2011 Highly Commended for `The Royal Air Force Museum Prize’ 2011 |
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I have had a keen interest in aviation and motorsport
from a young age, regularly attending airshows and following
Formula 1. As a result, my preferred subject matter is
anything mechanised such as cars, motorcycles, military
vehicles and boats, with my number one passion being
aviation; mainly military. I joined The Guild of Aviation Artists in 1997 and have subsequently exhibited many times at their annual `Aviation Paintings of the Year Exhibition’ with my work gaining favorable reviews. My paintings hang in the collections of the R.A.F. Club, the R.A.F. Museum Cosford and numerous private collections around the world, including those of pilots, an English Rally Champion and an Oscar winning film director. With my paintings I generally endeavour to create an overall atmosphere or theme rather than merely producing a standard aircraft or car portrait and I enjoy painting background details such as houses, churches and countryside as much as the main object of the picture. I am passionate about my art and constantly study the surroundings wherever I go, making a mental note of what may make a good theme for a new painting. Luckily I live in a rich environment for inspiration being located on a low level training flight path for the RAF. It is quite inspiring to be working at my easel painting a Tornado when one roars past the window. Although I have always been a big fan of fast jets I have to say that one of the most impressive sights is when a pair of Hercules fly over my studio roof at low level! Shelsley Walsh, which is famous for its hill climb events, is local to where I live and work. This famous hill climb is believed to be the oldest motorsport venue in the world and still holds regular events throughout the year. Its other claim to fame is that it is the first venue that Murray Walker ever commentated at. Malvern, which is home to the famous Morgan sports car factory is also nearby. |
| My preferred choice of
painting medium is oils on stretched canvas and I rarely use
anything else. For me personally there is no substitute for
this medium, which gives the same feeling of quality and
expression to an original picture. Although I have been painting professionally for many years I am still humbled when someone buys one of my pictures or commissions a painting; it is a great feeling as an artist to know that people wish to collect my work. Neil Hipkiss |
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