Westward Cup, July 3rd 2010

Oil Paintings and watercolours of America's Cup and 'Big Class' yachting subjects, by one of the UK's most accomplished marine artists.

Martin Swan was born in 1951 on the Isle of Wight. He studied Environmental Sciences at university in Ireland and, later Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Wales, from which he graduated in 1981.

His abiding love, however has always been drawing and painting and instead of pursuing the academic life that beckoned, on leaving university he concentrated on becoming a professional artist.

Having originally established a strong reputation as a landscape painter, Martin is increasingly recognised as one of this country's finest marine artists. Inspired by his native surroundings on the Isle of Wight, Martin is particularly interested in the history of the Solent and the great yachts of the inter-war years.

His paintings, with their subtle colours, are both highly atmospheric and successful in capturing the thrill and excitement of yacht racing.

In 2003 Martin was elected an Associate Member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists and now regularly exhibits with them at the Mall galleries in London. He has exhibited extensively in the U.K. and his work is represented in collections all over the world.

One Designs - acrylic on canvas