Paul Kenton
Around the world with Paul Kenton! | 2023

Paul Kenton may describe himself as a ‘country bumpkin’ who lives and works in his beloved north Devon, but he is still a man who adores travel, and the opportunities which globetrotting provides him to make his hugely impactful art. He loves travel, and absorbing the atmosphere of the most exciting and beautiful cities, but the real work happens in Paul’s incredible studio once he arrives home. Here, he discusses his new limited edition pieces created on metal, and featuring New York, Venice, Tokyo and London.

Capturing Venice

“I am fascinated by Venice at the ‘golden hour’, particularly how the warm light bounces between buildings and the canal waters, giving a sense of awe and tranquillity. In this piece, the setting sunbathes the domes of St Mark's Basilica in glowing light, the reflection of which ripples gently in the water below. Those warm yellow tones really give you a feeling of happiness.”

Tokyo Brilliance

“This piece depicts the brilliant neon-lit Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo. As the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing, I was inspired to capture the hectic movement of people, illuminated by the colourful, glittering billboards towering above.  “It’s a classic Tokyo location whose neon lights create a great atmosphere. The glow from the neon creates a happy, upbeat mood but the foreboding sky creates a great contrast.”

New York Nightfall

“I’ve always been captivated by night-time city views such as this one in New York, which inspire me to paint the transformative effects that sundown has on the urban landscape. As night falls, the Manhattan skyline comes alive with dazzling lights, which flicker and reflect off the still waters, creating a both a feeling of calm and excitement. Even though the sun has set, you get the sense that the hustle and bustle of city life continues, and I hope I’ve captured the mayhem that New York can be. “I paint New York a lot, but it’s always fresh to me because I like it so much and have a good vibe with the city, which is the key to enjoying painting. There’s so much that’s different in New York around every corner; the tall buildings lead themselves to great compositions and infinite possibilities. And it’s always so busy – if I’m on the High Line walkway, or even in Times Square at 5am, I end up being surrounded by people when I’m painting!”

London Illuminations

“One of my favourite things about London is the reflections in the Thames. This piece captures the majestic London skyline illuminated with glowing lights in a myriad of colours. The lights shimmer on the still surface of the river, offering a rare moment of calm in bustling London. Amongst the buildings here are icons such as St Paul’s Cathedral, The Leadenhall Building and 20 Fenchurch Street, popularly known as The Gherkin.”