Antony Warnes, Landscape & Figurative Painter (Oils)

1940       
Born in Wellington (4th generation Wellingtonian)
1946       
Family moved to Tauranga
1946-56 
Attended Otumoetai Primary School and Tauranga Boys College
1948      
Was drawing cartoons which found their way to Walt Disney who wrote to Antony saying how impressed he was – Walt kept several of Antony's cartoons in his personal collection
1963
Took first private art lessons but after two lessons he was very kindly asked not to bother to return for any further painting lessons by his tutor
1963 – 68
Continued to paint – was inspired by Constable and Turner and several other of the great masters of Britain and Europe who he studied closely
1965
Began selling artwork through Harrisons
1968
First exhibition – Tauranga
1968
Second exhibition at the grand Tauranga Hotel Lounge – was a sellout
1970s
Enjoyed remarkable success with his paintings (mostly seascapes) selling straight from his easel – wet
1980s
Continues to sell paintings in the Bay of Plenty but now also represented by leading galleries in Parnell, Auckland and on Lambton Quay, Wellington
1990s
Travelled to London where he painted 15 very large works – they were sold to buyers from England, Australia and New Zealand. By the end of the 90’s Antony’s paintings were in both private and public collections spread throughout 28 countries. Locally, a large work was purchased by the Greerton Public Library where it still hangs today
2000
After travelling to Australia to paint and after several moves to and from Wellington, the decision is made to reside permanently in Tauranga

Anthony’s subjects include his popular seascapes which record his fascination with the darker forces of the ocean; he has spent a lot of time on the ocean over the years - and has twice been given up for lost at sea.

Anthony’s ketches and small boats are beautifully depicted in distant harbours with moody skies reminiscent of the far off ports in the East.

On his distinctive and whimsical figurative works, Anthony describes them as a manifestation of his early cartoon drawings which captured the great Walt Disney’s interest.

His landscapes are inspired by the great masters and early 19th century New Zealand painters and are distinctive in their impressionist style and Anthony’s ability capture the aura of our seasons.

Antony has built his reputation as a painter with a distinctive Impressionist style which he successfully combines with his highly original imagination.

Click here to view artworks by Antony Warnes