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Biography
Graham Isom was born in Kent in 1945 and was brought up around his father's riding school, where he first developed his love of horses. After studying at Ravensbourne College of Art he obtained his degree which qualified him, amongst other things, to be a teacher, although he spent the best part of the following year as a groom in stables on Dartmoor.
After teaching ‘A’ Level students for five years in Dorset, his private commissions increased sufficiently to enable him to devote all his time to painting and for two years he specialised in figure studies - several of which were reproduced by a London publisher. It was not long, however, before he combined his love of animals and his knowledge of anatomy to include four legged models.
In 1988 he moved to Somerset and started to produce some of his most successful work.Regular exhibitions throughout the UK and America together with his acceptance into both the American Academy of Equine Art (AAEA) and the Society of Equine Artists (SEquA) have resulted in his work being highly sought after both at home and abroad.
Equally popular are the many reproductions of his works in limited and open editions - many of which have become collectors items.
His paintings are included in both public and private collections throughout the world, including perhaps, that of the thief who threw a tombstone through a gallery window and made off with just one painting - a small Graham Isom original!
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Graham has his studio in a little village not far from Glastonbury and enjoys the most wonderful views across to the historic 'Tor'. He is passionate about both painting and horses and although he no longer rides he is adamant that he will never retire from his easel! |
Some memorable quotes
“Graham Isom’s style is always changing, if almost imperceptibly, and a recent less rigid delineation and softer use of colour now gives his paintings much more warmth than in the past, without detracting from a tremendous ability to paint horses in action.” - Charles Lane, Horse and Hound magazine.
“.....this equestrian painter who is breaking new ground by combining an eye for thrilling sporting action with the finest attributes of this demanding and specialised art.” - John Hudson, Portfolio magazine
“.....there is a tremendous impression of the looming bulk and power of the mature racehorse... Isom’s portrait of Padrong, enviably muscled, all out under Lester Piggott is a paean to the modern thoroughbred in action” - John Fairley, Racing in Art
" It's about time you had a real job." - My Wife |
