I enjoy painting landscapes, railway, motoring, marine and aviation topics in oils and watercolour for exhibitions, either plein-air or in the studio. Having been trained in the traditional ways of commercial art and illustration in the late 1980s, before digital technology took over, I enjoy working on commissions from corporate clients and private individuals to supply hand-finished artwork. The two most prestigious projects to date, during my 40 year art career, have been to enhance the interiors of an airport departure lounge and a London private members clubs with bespoke artwork. In June 2025, I took part in the final heat of Series 11 (to be broadcast early 2026) of Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year as a 'Wildcard' contestant on board HMS Wellington. On 1-3 August 2025, Alstom, the train manufacturer has invited me to be their sole 'Artist in Residence' at The Greatest Gathering event, tsking place at their Litchurch Lane works in Derby. This is part of the national Railway 200 celebrations. 

I am a painter, author and tutor who is inspired by people, places, music, land, sea and sky. Mainly studio based, but enjoy plein-air painting whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Exhibition history

1990 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Carisbrooke Gallery, Marble Arch

1991 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Carisbrooke Gallery, Marble Arch

1992 - East Midlands Artist of the Year, Patchings Farm Art Centre

1990s - Various open exhibitions, Patchings Farm Art Centre

1990s - Various exhibitions at Nottingham Society of Artists

1992 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Carisbrooke Gallery, Marble Arch

1992 - Guild of Aviation Artists, RAF Museum, Hendon

1993 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Carisbrooke Gallery, Marble Arch

1994 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Carisbrooke Gallery, Marble Arch

1994 - The American Society of Aviation Artists, USA

1995 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Carisbrooke Gallery, Marble Arch

1998 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Carisbrooke Gallery, Marble Arch

2000 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Carisbrooke Gallery, Marble Arch

2000 - Guild of Aviation Artists, RAF Museum Cosford

2001 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Mall Galleries

2001 - Guild of Aviation Artists, RAF Museum Cosford

2002 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Mall Galleries

2002 - Guild of Aviation Artists, RAF Museum Cosford

2003 - Guild of Aviation Artists, RAF Museum Cosford

2004 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Mall Galleries

2004 - Guild of Aviation Artists, RAF Museum Cosford

2008 – A family exhibition, St Luke's House, Nottingham

2010 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Mall Galleries

2011 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Mall Galleries

2012 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Mall Galleries

2013 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Mall Galleries

2014 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Mall Galleries

2015 – Four-month solo exhibition at the Royal Air Force Club, 128 Piccadilly, London

2016 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Mall Galleries

2017 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Mall Galleries

2018 - Guild of Aviation Artists, Mall Galleries

2019 - The Artist and Leisure Painter (TALP), Patchings Art Centre

2020 - TALP exhibition, Patchings Art Centre

2021 - Royal Society of Marine Artists, Mall Galleries

2022 - TALP exhibition, Patchings Art Centre

2022 – Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries

2023 - TALP exhibition, Patchings Art Centre

2023 - Royal Society of Marine Artists, Mall Galleries

2023 – Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries

2024 - TALP exhibition, Patchings Art Centre

2024 - TALP exhibition, Patchings Art Centre

2024 - Royal Society of Marine Artists, Mall Galleries

2025 - TALP exhibition, Patchings Art Centre

Prizes and awards

1992 – 1st Prize in Watercolour section - East Midlands Artist of the Year

2023 – Artist Collection Award - TALP exhibition

2024 - Hahnemuhle Award of £150 worth of paper - TALP exhibition

Permanent Collections

His Grace, The Duke of Rutland, Belvoir Castle

Royal Navy

The Royal Air Force Club, 128 Piccadilly, London

Royal Air Force Waddington

Royal Air Force Northolt

Royal Air Force Cranwell

King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah

Residencies

RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, RAF Coningsby 1994 to 1999.

HMS Illustrious in 2012

HMS Ocean in 2015

The Greatest Gathering (part of Railway 200) at Alstom, Derby in Aug 2025.

Media

Wildcard contestant, Series 11 of Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year, HMS Wellington

Features published in The Artist magazine

Features published in The Leisure Painter magazine

Featured on ITV Central News, Sept 2024

Featured on GB News, Sept 2024

Featured on BBC East Midlands Today, April 2023

Interviewed on BBC Radio Nottingham, Jan 2023

Feature published in Warship magazine

News item featured in Navy News, 2012

Features published in The Aeroplane magazine

Features published in Flypast magazine

News items published in The Newark Advertiser

News items published in The Nottingham Post

Qualifications:

Certificate of Education (Nottingham Trent University 2004) for teaching 16+ Adult Education

Website: www.timobrienart.co.uk

Instagram @timobrienart

Linkedin