Paul
Deacon hails from the historic port of Dartmouth in Devon; a wharf-side
world of bollards, warps and sailing ships and he served in the
Merchant Navy tramping between the ports of Europe.
At
28 Paul was Master of his first vessel and for years experienced
the storm-bound coasts of Brittany & Biscay frequently voyaging
to St Malo, Brest, L’Orient, Nantes, La Rocelle, Rochefort and
down to the north coast of Spain.
From
Ferrol in North Spain to the Straits of Gibraltar and into the
Mediterranean Paul sailed through waters that once witnessed dramatic
naval battles throughout the Napoleonic wars.
Further
north around the British Isles Paul traversed every stretch of
coast with its bays, headlands, rivers and ports where French
and American vessels harassed British coastal shipping throughout
the Napoleonic wars and the war of 1812.
Paul was also familiar with the continental ports and coasts of
Netherlands, Germany and Denmark, places that figured greatly
in this historic period.
After
leaving the Merchant Navy, Paul served as an officer at Dartmoor
Prison in Devon for 11 years.
The prison was purpose built to house French & American prisoners
of war from 1809 to 1814 and within its walls thousands of prisoners
lived in squalid conditions and many died.
Paul
absorbed the early history of Dartmoor prison matching it to his
artistic endeavours and development via paintings for historic
publications. (Illustrator for Prisoner of War at Dartmoor
McFarland & Co, Inc., Publishers. USA. 2013).
Paul’s diverse work experiences in unique circumstances and locations
have given him a rare insight of locations that few artists can
equal.
To own one of his paintings is to have a visual reference to a
moment in history.
Behind
each painting there is a story and its complexity demands the
utmost concentration and skill to perfect it on canvas.
Paul
particularly absorbed seafaring and his paintings carry a distinct
essence of his voyaging.
Paul
works from his studio in Auckland utilising skills, memories and
reference material to produce high quality marine paintings, he
is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading marine artists and
is a member of the internationally recognised Australian Society
of Marine Artists (ASMA) and the New Zealand Academy of Fine Art
(NZAFA).
THE
ART
Paul utilises quality paints, brushes, canvas, linen and boards
to lay his work on.
Over
several days he draws the scene together by layering in skies
and seas to create atmosphere and texture on the canvas, the detailed
work of the vessels has a planned place and is expertly added
onto the completed background.
Fine
glazes are added to the painting to create depth & shadow, the
painting is allowed to dry and a finishing glaze added to enhance
and protect its surface.
Each
original painting is a testimony to Paul’s integral experiences,
knowledge, skill and expertise.
To
commission a painting you can contact Paul throughhis
facebook page www.facebook.com/pauldeaconart, or call him in Auckland
(64) 9 533 4431 or 021 259 0646.
pauljilly@vodafone.co.nz
Discuss
with Paul what you wish to commission: A commissioned painting
is a unique creation to grace your chosen space for a lifetime.
A
commissioned painting is an exceptional heirloom to pass on for
generations.
A
commissioned painting can be a unique gift given to those with
a love of history and the sea.