About the artist
Biography
Nick Grove is a British painter known for his expressive representational paintings of landscapes, city scenes and figures, created directly from life. His work is collected internationally and he is represented by Thompson’s Galleries.
Nick returned to painting after a successful career as a photographer and quickly established himself through exhibitions and awards. He works primarily in oils and is frequently found painting outdoors across the UK, particularly in London, Cambridge, Oxford, Stamford and along the Norfolk and Suffolk coast.
In addition to his painting practice, Nick founded Stamford School of Art, where he teaches drawing and painting from life.
Artist Statement
Painting from life remains at the heart of my practice.
Whether standing on a London street corner, working along the Norfolk coast, or painting from the model in the studio, my aim is always the same: to respond directly to the subject in front of me. The immediacy of observation — the shifting light, the movement of people, the atmosphere of a place — cannot be replicated from photographs.
Working en plein air demands speed, decisiveness, and attention. The painting becomes a record not only of the subject but of the moment in which it was experienced.
Much of my work focuses on the life of British towns and cities. London, Cambridge, Oxford, Stamford and Brighton have all become recurring subjects. These places carry layers of history, architecture and everyday human activity that continually reveal new possibilities for painting.
Alongside landscape and urban work, portraiture remains an important part of my practice. Working from the sitter allows for a deeper engagement with character and presence — something that unfolds gradually over the course of sustained observation.
Ultimately, painting from life is both a discipline and a way of seeing. It requires patience, humility, and a willingness to respond honestly to what is in front of you.
Selected Exhibitions
Royal Society of Marine Artists — Mall Galleries, London
Royal Society of Portrait Painters — Mall Galleries, London
Royal Institute of Oil Painters — Mall Galleries, London
Best of British Exhibition — The Gallery Holt
Thompson’s Galleries — London
Memberships & Awards
Member – Royal Society of Marine Artists (RSMA)
Elected Member – Chelsea Art Society
Winner – The Artist Magazine Award, Royal Society of Marine Artists Exhibition (2023)
The Artist Exhibition Award – Tim in the Studio, TALP Open Exhibition (2025)
Highly Commended – The Buxton Spa Prize
Artists & Illustrators Artist of the Year – Finalist
Teaching
Online Teaching from Stamford School of Arts
Drawing and painting workshops from life – Stamford Arts Center
Private tuition and group classes – On location and at Stamford Arts Center
2026
Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition — Mall Galleries, London
Thompson’s Gallery Spring Exhibition — London
Thompson’s Gallery Annual Exhibition — Aldeburgh
Chelsea Art Society Summer Exhibition — Chelsea Old Town Hall, London
The Royal Society Exhibition — Patchings Art Centre
Monochrome Exhibition — The Gallery Holt, Holt
Blackwater Gallery — Cardiff
2025
Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition — Mall Galleries, London
Chelsea Art Society Summer Exhibition — Chelsea Old Town Hall, London
Parkspaces — Regents Park Gallery, London
The Artist Group Exhibition — Patchings Art Centre
Thompson’s Gallery Autumn Catalogue — Mayfair, London
Thompson’s Gallery Annual Exhibition — Aldeburgh
Thompson’s Gallery Coast Exhibition — Aldeburgh
2024
ING Discerning Eye — Mall Galleries, London
Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition — Mall Galleries, London
Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition — Mall Galleries, London
Chelsea Art Society Summer Exhibition — Chelsea Old Town Hall, London
Green & Stone Summer Exhibition — Fulham, London
Thompson’s Gallery Autumn Catalogue — Mayfair, London
Thompson’s Gallery Annual Exhibition — Aldeburgh
Best of British IV — Adrian Hill Fine Art, Stamford
2023
Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition — Mall Galleries, London
Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition — Mall Galleries, London
Chelsea Art Society Summer Exhibition — Chelsea Old Town Hall, London
Solo Exhibition — An Artist’s Journey, Thompson’s Gallery, London
Thompson’s Gallery Annual Exhibition — Aldeburgh
Thompson’s Gallery Autumn Exhibition — London
Best of British II — Adrian Hill Fine Art, Stamford
Christmas Exhibition — Thompson’s Gallery, Aldeburgh
2022
Solo Exhibition — The Yarrow Gallery, Oundle
Solo Exhibition — Adrian Hill Fine Art, Stamford
Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition — Mall Galleries, London
Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition — Mall Galleries, London
2021
Affordable Art Fair — London (Thompson’s Gallery)
Alfresco — The Gallery Holt
Glorious — Stamford Arts Centre
Best of British — Adrian Hill Fine Art, Stamford
Solo Exhibition — Stamford Arts Centre
Solo Exhibition — The Yarrow Gallery, Oundle
Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition — Mall Galleries, London
Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition — Mall Galleries, London
Figurative Art Now — Mall Galleries, London
2020
Solo Exhibition — Stamford Contemporary Arts
Solo Exhibition — The Anteroom, Stamford Arts Centre
2019
Solo Exhibition — Stamford Contemporary Arts
Solo Exhibition — The Yarrow Gallery, Oundle
Royal Society of Portrait Painters Annual Exhibition — Mall Galleries, London
Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition — Mall Galleries, London
Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition — Mall Galleries, London
Artist-in-Residence — Oundle School
2018
Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition — Mall Galleries, London
Artist-in-Residence — Oundle School
2017
Summer Show — The Dolby Gallery, Oundle
Autumn Show — The Dolby Gallery, Oundle