 |
|
Traditional irish
Artist
|
AUTOBIOGRAPHY – HAMILTON SLOAN
I was born in Belfast N.Ireland in 1945, just after the end of the Second
World War.
My Father was a shop-keeper, and when I was around 11 years old, we moved
to Comber, Co.Down to live above the shop.
Having been really very un-academically minded, I left school at the first
opportunity, and set out into life with a very carefree attitude indeed.
My big passion in life at the time was playing the banjo, and any job I had
was merely a method to fund the banjo playing. I wanted, with a desperation, a
Paragon banjo – because this was the banjo played by Barney Mckenna of the
Dubliners , who was my hero.
Eventually in the late 60’s, I did get my Paragon, by borrowing the money
from my Father . I really loved this thing, and most of my spare time was spent
practising and learning new tunes. I had a little room at the back of the house
which was mine alone, and here I played my banjo and also painted a little bit.
My first sale of a painting was to my Auntie Jean. She paid me 10 shillings (50
pence in today’s money). I am fairly sure that painting will not have
rocketed in value !!!
In my late teens, I went off to Iceland to work in the Fish Factories,
complete with banjo and a change of clothes. I believe the plan was to go there
,work hard, and return home with lots of money. Sadly, it didn’t work out
that way – I came home with no money. So, it was back to working at any job I
could find for a while.
At this time, my interests expanded a little into Taxidermy. I was
fascinated by the idea of setting up a bird or mammal into a realistic
pose.
As this interest grew, I became quite proficient – so much so, that when
a position for the taxidermist in the Ulster Museum became available , I was
given the job.
I am happy to say that a good few of the specimens on show in the Ulster
Museum are my work.
I suppose the job which gave me most satisfaction there would have been the
setting up of Peter, The Polar Bear – a project involving many sleepless
nights, but which nevertheless had a very successful outcome.
During all this time, I continued to paint. It really didn’t occur to me
that it would be possible to paint as a career, and in fact, it was quite a few
years before circumstances were such that I was able to take this step. In the
late 1980’s I made the decision to paint professionally. I have been very
fortunate in that right from the outset, people were happy to buy my
paintings.
Initially, I painted from my home in Comber, and this was the Watercolour
Period.
In 1998, I went to live in the West of Ireland.
This was a wonderful opportunity for any painter.
The light and the ruggedness of the landscape were truly inspiring. I love
the fact that many of the old skills, such as turf-cutting and small scale
farming, with just a few cattle or sheep, are still very much a part of the way
of life in the West of Ireland .
I had always used a delicate palette in my watercolours, but this seemed to
be inadequate to capture the wildness of Donegal. I found at this point that
oil paints were more appropriate, and so began the Oil-Painting Period.
During this time I was offered the opportunity to illustrate a story for
the book 'Magical Tales of Ireland' published by Random House. The story was
called 'Wherever ' and was written by Kate Thompson. - I was fortunate to have
the ideal model in my little neice Catherine .
Now, once again, working and living on the East Coast – I find that I
paint either in oils or watercolour as the mood takes me.
I still play the banjo, with my friends John and Matt. We call ourselves
U3, but you will not be able to find any of our music for sale, as no Recording
Company has offered us a contract !
Although it is said that artists never retire, I believe the time has come
as I approach retirement age, to acknowledge the many people who have been of
help to me in my career.
Firstly, to all of you who have bought my paintings, both private
collectors and Public Bodies in Ireland, the UK, USA, Canada and Japan –
Thank-You, and I hope they are still giving you enjoyment.
To those who were of great help in the early days, especially Bill Morrison
of the Cleft Gallery, Roland Millar of the Magee Gallery and John Suittors of
the Wellington Gallery – Thanks.
To the galleries which still handle my work, www.eakingallery.co.uk and
www.throatlake.com and many others – Thanks.
To Philip and Lynne and Roger and Julie. No-one could ask for a better
family.
And, of course, to my wife Irene who has stuck with me through ‘thick and
thin’.
Thanks, Irene, I couldn’t have done it without you.
Hamilton Sloan