Norman Dinnage

A professional artist all his life, Norman has remained faithful to his love of the countryside and seascape with excursions into illustration (see note below*), portraiture, sculpture and photography.

He served as a Marine in the latter part of the Second World War and long periods at sea found him sketching and drawing to pass the hours. His creative and instinctive talents soon established his reputation for fine, detailed drawing and meticulous painting, much sought after in the advertising world. A spell in Fleet Street with his own company and subsequent contracts in advertising confirmed his commercial authority. Emigrating from the UK to New Zealand in the 1960’s saw the culmination of Norman’s commercial career as head of a pool of artists working in the commercial sector. During these years he continued to paint and draw, producing exceptional land and seascapes of New Zealand.

Returning to the UK and resettling in Sussex, Norman continued to paint and draw as a fully self-employed professional. He has a long and highly regarded reputation for Sussex landscapes and favourite villages like Alfriston and Berwick; many of which have been reproduced in print, and the vast majority now in private collections including that of the Duke of Devonshire. He has continued to travel, and visits to the USA, Botswana, Southern Africa and France have also yielded many wonderful paintings in watercolour and oil. The Lake District, Devon, Cornwall and many incidental trips throughout the UK add to the repertoire of Norman’s work.

Norman has been rewarded with accolades from fellow artists; locally at the Towner Art Gallery, winner of the inaugural Towner Prize, recognised by critics in America (Delaware) and France, premiere medal '' Prix du Public 1994 - a Ville Angers, when exhibiting with fellow Sussex artists. Norman has also exhibited in Brighton with the Society of Sussex Artists and sold many paintings through Stacey-Marks art galleries. Despite his advancing years, Norman continues to paint; his most sought after works feature views around the greens and fairways of the Royal Eastbourne Golf Club. For the centenary celebrations of this Royal venue, Norman was commissioned to produce four paintings which were presented to the other Royal Clubs similarly celebrating, these paintings now hang in their respective clubhouses in Cape Town, Hong Kong and Sidney as well as being on view at The Royal in Eastbourne.

* See ''The Pocket Encyclopaedia (series) of world aircraft in colour between the wars 1919-39 illustrations by Norman Dinnage'' Blandford Press 1972