Frank Clarke
Artist, Teacher, Author and TV Presenter
(1938-2022)
Frank Clarke worked as an artist and teacher for over 40 years. In that time, his works sold steadily both in Ireland and abroad, partly due to his internationally successful TV series Simply Painting Around the World.
He has held over 25 one-man exhibitions and is one the most well-known and respected artists in his native Ireland. He first exhibited in the late 1980s, and since then, he has shown in Ireland, the UK, the USA, Australia, Spain, and Portugal. Most recently, he held two exhibitions in China.
He has also exhibited in the headquarters of Bank of Ireland, National Irish Bank and the American Embassy in Dublin. Over the years, Frank received many commissions, including ones from the Kennedy Family in the U.S., Irish Presidents Hillery and Robinson, Microsoft, Irish Life, and other major institutions. His works have been purchased by sportsmen, celebrities, and leading businessmen.
Frank published 6 books with over 1 million in sales and created/hosted over 300 TV shows, which were broadcast for over 20 years on some of the world’s most respected stations, such as BBC, PBS, Discovery Channel, RTE, The Learning Channel Sky (Europe), CCTV (China), NHK1(Japan), and many more.
Based on the international acclaim that followed these broadcasts, Frank travelled extensively, lecturing in schools, colleges and institutions and has received several awards and doctorates.
He visited China many times and lectured to art colleges and schools there – a rare accomplishment for a western artist.
Frank was predominantly a landscape painter in Watercolour, Acrylic and Oils and he took his inspiration for his works from the unique and rugged beauty of the land and seascapes along the west coast of Ireland.
But for many, it will be his ability as a teacher for which he will be most fondly remembered.
He had a unique style in both his painting method and his ability to communicate and encourage others to paint.
It is estimated that Frank started millions of people on the road to painting, some of whom became recognised artists in their own right, and many others who just enjoyed the painting as a hobby.
Frank once said “I have been lucky to have stumbled upon painting and made it a way of life which I thoroughly enjoyed.
More importantly along the way it has given me great pleasure that I was able to inspire so many others to join me in this wonderful world, Nothing would ever give more pleasure than seeing somebody proudly displaying their first finished “masterpiece” and knowing I had played a small part in making that happen.”
