Paul Karslake 1958-2020

Born in 1958 in Basildon, Essex, Paul Karslake's journey as an artist began early on, learning the nuances of form and perspective from his father, an accomplished architectural model-maker. His innate artistic prowess only flourished as he matured, eventually earning him accolades such as the Essex County Art Award in 1967 and being nominated and elected to become a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. This was in recognition of his achievement in winning the Evening Standard Environment Award for his artwork on a hoarding around a building site in London Docklands.

A turning point in his formative years was his tuition under Sir Peter Scott in the early '70s and a lucky encounter with Salvador Dalí in Spain later that decade. These experiences set the trajectory for Karslake's global artistic endeavors. The allure of America saw him extending a three-week vacation into a four-year artistic expedition, during which he collaborated with esteemed institutions like LA Art Studios, CBS Television, and Disney.

Known for his chameleon-like ability to transition between styles, Karslake mastered everything from modern surrealism to hyper-realism. His award-winning airbrush technique, combined with a method artist approach, resulted in iconic portraits of notable figures such as The Rolling Stones, Princess Grace of Monaco, and many more. His works have adorned the walls of global icons, including Sir Michael Caine, Keith Richards, and Tracey Emin CBE.

Karslake's versatility wasn't just confined to canvas. His unique projects range from customizing guitars for legends like Pete Townshend, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood to painting a Boeing 727 aircraft. Further adding to his achievements is his commitment to philanthropy, with an ongoing passion for charity fundraising since 1985.

His illustrious career, spanning decades, has seen solo exhibitions from London and New York to Monaco, collaborations with entities like EuroDisney, and a legacy that includes the Karslake Centre for Art education.

Paul Karslake's remarkable talent, multifaceted skill set, and insatiable passion for art made him an enduring figure in the global art scene, celebrated and revered by peers and art aficionados alike.