Award winning artist, Paul Dixon, was born in Scotland but grew up in St. Ives, Cornwall, England. As a child, he had a natural flair for drawing and spent many hours with pad and pencil in and around the Cornish countryside which is where he also developed a keen interest in natural history. He has had no formal art training other than art lessons at school.
In 1981, Paul emigrated to South Africa where he experienced first-hand the African wildlife, in it’s natural habitat, sparking off a love affair with the African bush. Inspired by his initial bush encounters, he began trying to capture the atmosphere and light, which is so unique to Africa in his preferred medium of pastel.
In 1996, his work was accepted by Christies of London for their prestigious Wildlife Art Auction and subsequently sold every piece offered in the next seven consecutive wildlife art sales.
More work was offered in November 2007 and March 2010 and again all the work was sold, achieving personal record prices for Paul.
During 2000, Paul was elected as a signature member of the *Society of Animal Artists, New York and in 2002 he was elected a signature member of the Pastel Society of America, both very prestigious organizations where members are elected by a panel of jurors.
In 2003, Paul was a finalist in the “Pastel Artist International” magazine with his painting of a bull elephant entitled “Zambezi Dawn” and subsequently wrote an article, as a featured artist, for the magazine (Issue no. 14).
Paul’s paintings have been published on numerous occasions and have been reproduced as limited edition prints and giclees.
In 2005, Paul began painting in oil on canvas, keeping his own style and maintaining the ‘pastel’ effect and appearance, which has won him an award as a finalist in the “International Artist” magazine.
He believes in living the experience and makes as many trips to the bush as possible, collecting reference material and rekindling the inspiration for new works.
Paul’s work can be found in private and corporate collections in more than two dozen countries around the world. He has recently accepted a commission from the Sultan of Oman for two oil paintings, which are now hanging in the new wing of the palace.
In 2008 Paul held a very successful solo exhibition in Swakopmund, Namibia. His work is now available on a permanent basis in Namibia through the appointment of a sole agent in Swakopmund.
During 2009, Paul was a featured artist in the “International Artist” magazine, with a write-up about himself and his work.
Two large works of Paul’s were commissioned for the prestigious new hotel “Qasr-al-Sarab” near Dubai and now take pride of place in the main entrance-foyer of the hotel. Subsequently future commissions are on the cards for other hotels in the Middle East.
Paul’s work was selected for the “Art and the Animal” exhibition and National tour of Galleries and Museums in North America for a year during 2009/10 with the Society of Animal Artists, in the US. This is one of the most prestigious Exhibitions of Wildlife Art anywhere in the world and Paul’s was hung amongst the best on the planet. The work toured the following venues in the US:
Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure, Kansas
The Wildlife Experience, Colorado
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Art Institute
Greenacres Art Centre, Ohio
Dunnegan Gallery of Art, Missouri
Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury University, Maryland
The Society of Animal Artists is an organization comprised of members who produce the best animal art in the world. The membership roster of the SAA reads like a “Who’s Who” of the world’s most significant artists working in the genre of animal art today.
Membership is coveted by leading painters and sculptors around the globe, and just being accepted as a member of this esteemed organization is a real achievement.
A selection panel of nine jurors awards membership and the applicant’s work is evaluated for:
Good composition/design
Thorough understanding of animal anatomy, behaviour and environment
A distinctive style and
Mastery of their chosen medium
Only those artists who have attained the highest levels of artistic achievement are offered the opportunity to become members of the SAA. Signature Members(of which Paul is one) are considered to have reached the highest level of artistic achievement and are allowed using the S.A.A. initials after their signature.
Paul’s work has been selected for inclusion in the Anniversary SAA Exhibition for 2010/2011 to be held at the San Diego Natural History Museum, California and the subsequent “Art and the Animal” tour.
Paul is married with two sons and paints daily in his studio/gallery in Kalk Bay, Cape Town, South Africa.
