An interview with Kevin Preston, a local artist well known for his mural depicting the inspirational veteran, Mark Ormrod. His latest work is of the Plymouth Sound, encompassing a wide landscape from St Anne’s house in Jennycliff to Millbay Docks.
On a grey and rainy day in the Plymouth Boatyard & Marina, shadowed by Laira Bridge and the distant chorus of gulls, there is a burst of colour among the dry docked boats and chandlery.
The mural is expansive and runs the entire length of the vessel. It contains many intricate details that can only be appreciated up close, including boats, local characters and even roaming alpacas in the St Anne’s House gardens.
Artist Kevin Preston explains the difficulties faced with painting on such an unusual canvas. From fighting freezing cold temperatures to torrential rain and working with silicone based paint which won’t be affected by rain or seawater.
“We had a few really bad days, The worst was when it was raining, but the rain doesn’t affect the paint because it’s silicone based.”
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Kevin Preston is someone whose background in art is extensive, he explains:
“When I was a kid, in preschool. The teachers asked me to draw the six million dollar man and they said this portrait was so great that they wanted me to go to college”
This early encouragement carried on through secondary school where he continued to win prizes for his art. He appeared on Blue Peter, the Heinz tomato sauce competition & the WHS competition.
As Kevin got older he needed a job. Instead of going to college or university he instead opted to join the army. While on duty he continued to hone his artistic skills.
“We had this pink filofax paper back in the 80’s and the quartermaster would give me a pencil and the lads would get their photographs developed and I’ll be sat there drawing all their photos”
His exploits were picked up by an attached assault pioneer who asked Kevin if he wanted to be the sign writer, which he did during his service.
Once he had completed his service he came out of the army and felt ‘lost’ and began travelling around the UK doing various artworks, including a mural of the 90’s film Jurassic Park which was so realistic that it scared local children at night. He humorously recalls the experience:
“I did that Jurassic Park mural where I scared the little boy, because I made the dinosaur so 3D that he had to change his bed around so I painted Where’s Wally and Sonic the Hedgehog over instead but the mural’s still there”
Kev has done a few other murals around Plymouth including the Old Chapel, The Beresford and the Kings Arms. Unfortunately Kevin fell ill and had to give up the physical side of his art.
“One day I couldn’t move my legs so I ended up in hospital having an emergency operation. After that I ended up sorting my life out in a good way and thought I’m still going to stick with my art, I’m not going to give up because I’ll never give up on it because I’ve always done it through the years.”
After his illness he began doing portraits for soldiers who sadly lost their lives in service and sent them to the families free of charge, a service which he still does to this day. This led him to create the Mark Ormrod mural, which was done free of charge with the help of local businessman Neal Stoneman. Neal donated the scaffolding for the Mark Ormrod mural work insisting he would not charge and instead donate the money to Mr Ormrod’s charity REORG.
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Kevin’s latest mural is painted on a 1960s fishing vessel which is owned by Neal Stoneman who also commissioned the mural.
Neal explains about his first job was on a fishing boat catching crabs and lobsters. His hope is that he can return to crabbing on this vessel during his retirement and put the newly purchased hauling gear to good use.
Neal hopes boat mural will promote Plymouth and the hospitality industry while also advertising St Anne’s House, which Neal owns and is available as a venue or holiday booking.
The boat is currently situated at Plymouth Boatyard & Marina but will be moored outside the Three Crowns on the Barbican in time for summer.
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