The History of Art Education
"The creation of art is very important to me. It can be producing a drawing, a painting or body painting. That's Me!"
Tim is a contemporary Australian painter known for his 21st century impressionist depictions of the Australian landscape and his body art photography.
Born in Littleborough, England. He joined the Royal Navy and trained at Ganges Military College. Tim went on to serve twelve years active service. After leaving the Navy he worked in the North Sea as a driller where his extensive military training served him well. After accumulating sufficient funds he moved to Amsterdam, Netherlands to study fine art, painting and drawing at Rietveild Academy where he lived for eight years. During this period of time further study was taken at the Bath Academy of Fine Arts, U.K.
During the Amsterdam years he met and became a close friend of Australian artist Harold (Kangaroo) Thornton. This friendship also engaged Australian artist Ken Done and the late Martin Sharp who together supported Harold having an exhibition in Amsterdam.
Tim, as a beneficiary of Harold’s estate a portrait of Sen. Bob Browne hangs in the Portrait Gallery, Canberra. ACT. Australia.
Tim loves to teach…as an artist/educator he shares his artistic journey and knowledge by guiding each student regarding the how, what and where to use a variety of brush strokes, what it takes to mix and blend colours, the principles regarding the building of a drawing/painting including how to design and a variety of techniques.
Whether the subject is life drawing, still life, landscape he believes that it is essential to see the form, positive and negative space. Learn to see as an artist!
Drawing on his years of learning in Amsterdam at the Rietveild Academy and Bath, UK Tim shows students how to express themselves and to explore their creativity.
Each student enjoys one on one learning that includes how to use a variety of products and mediums. The workshop space offers an intensive and concentrated opportunity for students usually taking place over a weekend.
The discovery of the art of Bodypainting came by accident at a party in Amsterdam during 1991. Also in these early days he painted and bodypainted in Hungary and many other countries around the world. During this time he won the World Championships twice, the first time in 1993 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and the second time in 1997 in London, United Kingdom.
In Sydney Tim showed his work at his inner city studios with exhibitions in local galleries. Part of his Australian journey was to develop his own brand of body paint in partnership with Derivan. This body paint, labelled Tim Gratton Body and Face Paint more recently branded TG AQUA COLOR is distributed in Australia and throughout the world by Derivan.
Tim’s commitment to ex service personnel included being the RSL is to be Secretary of Rose Bay RSL sub-branch, Director Rose Bay RSL trading as Club Rose Bay as well as being a Trustee of the land. He has also held the position of Vice-Chairman of the Keep45alive committee for the 65th Anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day. Tim’s ongoing commitment to ex military is shown by his membership of Dubbo RSL sub-branch.
In 2011 Tim re-located to regional New South Wales (Dubbo) where more recently he has created his own gallery together with his wife Suzie as well as an Airbnb cottage in the village of Wongarbon. Visitors can view and purchase a Tim Gratton work of art!
Private lessons are available and outside of COVID restrictions art classes will recommence through Dubbo Art School.
Contact details: info@timgratton.com