Popular local man and reknowned artist Hampton Ewart would have celebrated his 70th Birthday today, unfortunately he passed away earlier this year and with it went the passing of a great artistic talent.
Hampton started painting in the 80's after discovering late in his life a talent that had lay hidden, and with it he specialised in the early years in landscape and portrait work in watercolour, undertaking commissions for people from all corners of the globe.
However it was when he moved into Pen and Ink work, that his true artistic talent came to the fore and with it a thirst to draw an Armagh of yesteryear as well as contemporary scenes of the beautiful Georgian City and surrounding areas of the Orchard of Ireland.
In the 90's Hampton had his own popular column in The Ulster Gazette, Ewart's Armagh, where he would select an area of the County or City, draw it and then write stories to accompany it, drawing on his incredible knowledge of Armagh as well as talking to friends with memories as good as his.
From this his work became increasingly popular and with it unprecedented demands for his work by local people, businesses, and local Government bodies, culminating in his work going all over the world, with postcards, calendars and china giftware being produced as well as his prints.
Dearly missed by his friends and family both for his humour and humbleness, it has been a difficult few months when he is not there, and the Family have struggled to come up with a fitting legacy.
Plans had been afoot to create a website of Hampton's work before his passing and although difficult to keep going the Family felt it would be an ideal way of keeping the flame burning and so, to celebrate Hampton's 70th Birthday, they are pleased to announce the launch of:
www.armaghprints.com
This site is dedicted to Hampton's Pen and Ink work not only of Armagh City but also of areas such as Tynan, Keady, Markethill and other areas of the County's beautiful towns and countryside.
Spokesman for the Family, son Glenn, comments:
"Things have been difficult and we miss Dad greatly but we had discussed with him the idea of launching a website of his work before he died and he was very excited. It has been a labour of love for all us to be involved Mum, Andrea and Colin and our intention is to run it as a joint Family project to keep his spirit alive.
You will see we have over 60 prints on the site but Dad had drawn many hundreds so we urge people who visit to ask if they don't see their favourite. The colours used are very in tradition with Armagh and Northern Ireland and we hope Dad likes it..... One day I am sure we will find out!!! Our hopes are that it is a lasting and fitting tribute to a great Armachian, and that people will visit and enjoy his talent."
For more information, please contact Glenn Ewart on +44 7974 919548
