DENTON - Key Persons
Kenneth Raymond Denton was born on 20th August. 1932, in Chatham, Kent, England. His mother was the daughter of a Master Painter, while his father had a military background. The family lived in nearby Rochester, but during the 2nd World War, Kenneth was evacuated to the country. During this period at school in Barham, Denton's attraction to painting first began.
In 1944 Denton won a scholarship to Rochester School of Art, (later The Medway College of Art) where he was educated in general painting. It was here that he was awarded what was to be the first of the much recognition of his achievements in the Arts: the Fairhain Memorial Prize.
On leaving college, he became apprenticed to a Master Painter and Gilder, and once again attended the Medway College of Art during his apprenticeship, gaining a First-Class Distinction in his studies.
During National Service in the British Army, Denton kept up his passion with the arts, completing a number of commissions and utilising his skills in such projects as the decoration of the Battalion Church.
On the completion of his National Service in 1954, Kenneth Denton set up in business as a Decorative Artist. During this period he also furthered his education in design, gaining Fellowship of the British Institute of Interior Designers, and The Chartered Society of Designers.
He did not neglect his true passion of oil painting, his work was to be seen in exhibitions frequently, including world renowned Bond Street, London.
In 1960, Denton's expertise in the interior design and decorative arts, led to time first of several teaching posts, at Maidstone College of Art. He was subsequently to teach at his old College as well as the Royal School of Military Engineering; eventually being appointed Examiner to the City and Guilds Institute of London.
Whilst this was a very busy period in Kenneth's life, he had started a family after his marriage to Margaret Nesbitt, in 1956; it also saw the continued development of his skill with the brush.
He begun to devote all his spare time to painting, and found his technique was developing and maturing constantly. Kenneth Denton paintings became sought after:
Corporations and Statesman alike began to commission him to paint. In 1969, encouraged by his increasing success as a painter, he took the decision to concentrate fully on painting and turned professional.
There can be no doubt that this decision by Denton has benefited all of those who patronise the arts, be it collectors or admirers. Kenneth Denton has become one of the leading artists that Great Britain has produced this century.
Kenneth Denton has been recognised with such accolades as the highly selective and sought after membership of THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF MARINE ARTISTS as well as FELLOWSHIP OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTS and INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY MARINE PAINTERS.
He has been awarded prizes including the HUNTING GROUP AWARD for best painting in the exhibition as voted by the visitors.
Denton has appeared on Television, his work has been subject to critical acclaim and examination by scholars, on programmes such as British Broadcasting Corporations "Open University". He has become the subject of articles in magazines and is listed in many books, including "Who's Who and "Debretts".
To all those who have the pleasure of a painting by Denton on their wall, whether in the boardroom or home, there is without doubt, a satisfaction in being able to participate in the career of an artist who, will surely be remembered as one of the outstanding painters of his time. An artist who has inspired others to write of him:
"A painter of superb ability. His lyrical handling of pastoral scenes and marine subjects is in a class of its own with generous emphasis on sky design, and mature, rich and sonorous colour."
"When one sees examples of Kenneth Denton ‘s Landscapes, one wonders why so much attention is given to the Victorian Artists at the expense of latter-day painters"
"Kenneth Denton is clearly an artist formidable talent and superb craftsmanship."
With the onset of Parkinsons Disease, Kenneth Denton has now retired from painting. However he has found that he has been able to revisit his roots and gains great pleasure in utilising his past skills in graining and marbling