Velsheda Beating to Windward by John Steven Dews
Velsheda Beating to Windward by John Steven Dews
John Steven Dews lives and loves the subject he paints. When he is not painting maritime scenes, Steven can be found on the sea himself, as he is a highly experienced yachtsman. Steven brings his knowledge of sailing to the composition and detail of his paintings. This, together with a mastery of technique to capture wind, sea and sky has raised his work to be highly prized amongst collectors.
The J-class yacht Velsheda was designed by Charles Ernest Nicholson and built in 1933 in Hampshire. She was built for businessman William Lawrence Stephenson and between 1933 and 1936, she won many races and competed with other great yachts such as Britannia, Endeavour and Shamrock V. After a distinguished racing career in the 1930s, Velsheda languished for many years on a mud berth on the Hamble. Eventually sold, her new owner set about rebuilding her with the latest in rig, sail technology and deck hardware. The result was the creation of a yacht which is both fast but which still retains her classic racing pedigree. Velsheda was relaunched on 3rd September 1997 and she spent several weeks on the sail trials on the Solent, which is a strait separating the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England.
DIMENSIONS: (unframed) 39.5 x 59.5 cm./ 15.6 x 23.4 ins
SIGNATURE: Signed lower left
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas
Price: £POA.
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Description
Dews’ depiction of historical boating events is a typical and much-loved subject for him, and this painting reflects that passion. The contrasting of the crisp white foam and the deep blue water reflect Dews’ attention to detail and his understanding of the sea. Known for his maritime paintings, John Steven Dews is an acclaimed British marine artist. Painted in the realist style, Dews’ ability to capture the movement of the ocean is fully realised in this beautiful painting.
Provenance
James H Starkey Galleries;
Private Collection, United Kingdom
Biography
John Steven Dews was born in Yorkshire in 1949,his meteoric rise to success from distinctly unpromising beginnings, should be an inspiration to all young artists. From being the boy who failed his Art “A” Level, his work has now placed him at the pinnacle of the marine art world.
Following his graduation, Steven Dews built up an astonishing portfolio for his first exhibition in 1976 and, on the exhibition’s first night, virtually his entire collection was sold. The following year he held an exhibition in San Francisco which also sold out to great critical acclaim and, since then, Steven Dews has continued exhibiting regularly at leading galleries in London and throughout the world. He is now commissioned for several years in advance.