Ray Whyard In His Studio
Ray was trained at the St Albans School of Art and Medway College of Art in the 1950s, followed by two years’ National Service in the Royal Army Medical Corp.
He went on to be the Head of Art at Bishop’s Stortford High School for 33 years, also teaching painting and ceramics at Hertford Regional College for many years.
National Service
The Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) is a specialist corps of the British Army that provides medical services to Army personnel, both in the UK and on operations worldwide.
Formed in 1898, it brings together doctors, nurses, paramedics and other healthcare professionals to deliver frontline emergency care, hospital treatment and medical support in conflict and peacetime.
Its motto is “In Arduis Fidelis” (“Faithful in Adversity”), reflecting its commitment to care under all conditions.
Ray In His Studio With Recent Paintings
Executing his complex paintings is grounded in the extensive sketchbooks that he takes with him everywhere. As he develops the visual composition in his studio, the final image evolves into the more abstract interpretation that is his unique style. He has many paintings in private collections around the UK and abroad.
Sketchbooks
He is a prolific and dedicated artist, dividing his time between studio work in the colder months and painting and sketching outdoors when the weather allows. Working en plein air, he fills sketchbooks with visual notes—capturing light, atmosphere and fleeting moments—which often become the foundation for new paintings years later.
Open Exhibitions
He is currently preparing submissions for several open exhibitions, including those at the Gibberd Gallery in Harlow, Essex, and in Port Vale, Hertford.
Previous exhibitions include Babylon Arts, in Ely, Cambridgeshire and the Holt Festival, Norfolk.
His travels throughout Great Britain and overseas to inform and enrich his practice, providing a constant source of inspiration.
Royal Academy
He has also had a painting accepted for the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition, a notable achievement, although it was ultimately not displayed due to space limitations.
Some of Ray’s new work displayed here are listed below (top to bottom/ left to right):
Ray Whyard- ‘Reflection’ acrylic 50x40cm £250; ‘Quiet Lane, France’ acrylic 30x20cm; ‘Through The Trees, Lake District’ acrylic 39x20cm; ‘Stream’ acrylic 37x21cm; ‘Birchwood’ acrylic 30x21cm; ‘Riverside, Ware’ acrylic 19×19; ‘Pools’ acrylic 45x35cm £250; ‘Sandy Bay’ acrylic 24x19cm.
