Dirk de Vries

Dirk deVries

Dirk H. de Vries (1958-2022) was born in in Woolwich, London, to a Dutch father and an English mother, and attended school in the area. He showed no special interest in art at this time, but was encouraged to paint by his mother, herself a talented amateur artist who exhibited locally. He decided to take up art seriously, took an A level in the subject, and went on to do a foundation course at the College of Art and Design, Eastbourne. After failing to obtain a place on a degree course he returned home to London, where he continued to paint and sometimes sell his paintings.

Moving with his family to the Kent village of Elham in 1983, he continued painting in various media while working at a garden centre, nursing home, and in 1987 as a technician in the art department of the Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys in Canterbury, where he still works. The countryside around his home provides inspiration, and a fascination with light and shadow informs both his landscape and increasing number of still life works. Currently, he paints mainly in oil, although also uses acrylic, watercolour, and pastel.

Telephone: 01303 840292